Breastfeeding Initiation and Continuation in California, 2000-2003

Amy Godecker, California Department of Health Services
Mike Curtis
Eugene R. Takahashi, California Department of Health Services
Shabbir Ahmad, California Department of Health Services

Half of births in California each year are to Latina mothers, so racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates have a large impact on breastfeeding rates and infant health statewide. This study analyzes data from 17,725 respondents to the 1999-2003 Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, California’s annual survey of a representative sample of postpartum women. Rates of ever breastfeeding were high over this period—between 75-92% for all race/ethnic groups. Rates of breastfeeding declined soon after birth and disparities grew larger. By 2 months postpartum in 2003, just over 50% of U.S.-born Hispanic and African-American mothers were still breastfeeding, compared to 72-74% of Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic White, and foreign-born Hispanic mothers. Disparities in exclusive breastfeeding at 2 months postpartum were also large. Rates of any breastfeeding at 2 months postpartum increased somewhat across racial/ethnic groups over 1999-2003, while rates of ever breastfeeding and breastfeeding exclusively at 2 months remained steady.