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Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 21, No. 3, 284-288 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0890334405278490

Regional Variation in Public Opinion About Breastfeeding in the United States

Abeda Hannan, BS

DeKalb County Board of Health, Atlanta, Georgia

Ruowei Li, MD, PhD

Maternal and Child Nutrition Branch, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

Sandra Benton-Davis, RD

Food and Nutrition Service, Southeast Regional Office of the United States Department of Agriculture

Laurence Grummer-Strawn, PhD

Maternal and Child Nutrition Branch, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

Because social and cultural norms are associated with women’s breastfeeding behaviors, it is important to understand public opinions toward breastfeeding in the United States. Using data from the Healthstyles survey, the authors examined regional variations in (1) public knowledge about health benefits of breastfeeding, (2) public attitudes toward breastfeeding in public, (3) public support for workplace breastfeeding policies, and (4) public perceptions about breastfeeding duration. Pacific, West South Central, West North Central, and Mountain respondents were the most knowledgeable about the health benefits of breastfeeding. Mountain, New England, and Pacific respondents exhibited the most positive attitudes about breastfeeding in public. Mountain and Pacific respondents showed the strongest support for workplace breastfeeding polices. Pacific, Mountain, and East North Central respondents displayed the most positive perceptions about breastfeeding duration. This study emphasizes the need to learn from the best regions and apply subsequent findings to those regions having less positive public opinions and low breastfeeding rates.

Key Words: breastfeeding rates • regional variation • social norms • cultural norms • public opinions


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