GITNUXREPORT 2025

Breastfeeding Statistics

Breastfeeding saves lives, reduces infections, and offers lifelong health advantages.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Breastfeeding can reduce the healthcare costs related to infant illnesses by up to $3,000 per child annually

Statistic 2

The average cost of formula feeding in the first year can be up to $1,500 per family, while breastfeeding reduces this cost substantially

Statistic 3

Breastfeeding is considered a cost-effective intervention with a high return on investment in terms of child health outcomes

Statistic 4

Approximately 41% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months in low- and middle-income countries

Statistic 5

Only 44% of infants worldwide are breastfed within the first hour of birth

Statistic 6

Exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months are highest in East Asia and Pacific at 53%

Statistic 7

The global rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months is approximately 42%

Statistic 8

The average duration of breastfeeding in high-income countries is about 17 weeks

Statistic 9

In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 58% of infants are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months

Statistic 10

The rate of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of birth is around 69% globally

Statistic 11

Nearly 60% of infants globally receive breastfeeding support from healthcare providers

Statistic 12

The prevalence of breastfeeding at 12 months is approximately 25% worldwide

Statistic 13

In Latin America and the Caribbean, exclusive breastfeeding rates reach about 63% at 4 months

Statistic 14

The prevalence of breastfeeding at 2 years is about 17% globally

Statistic 15

In Nepal, exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months reach around 65%, one of the highest in Asia

Statistic 16

The initiation rate of breastfeeding in maternity wards improved after implementing Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative standards, increasing by 20%

Statistic 17

In India, approximately 54% of infants are exclusively breastfed at 6 months, showing room for improvement

Statistic 18

The average duration of breastfeeding in sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 19 months, longer than in many other regions

Statistic 19

The proportion of infants exclusively breastfed at 4-6 months varies widely by country, with some nations reaching over 70%

Statistic 20

Globally, less than half of infants are breastfed within the first hour of birth, indicating gaps in immediate postnatal care

Statistic 21

The percentage of mothers who breastfeed exclusively at 12 months is below 20% in many countries, emphasizing need for better support

Statistic 22

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for up to 2 years or longer

Statistic 23

Breastfeeding support programs increase exclusive breastfeeding rates by 20-30%

Statistic 24

Breastfeeding can lead to longer-term health benefits, including reduced risk of childhood obesity

Statistic 25

In Australia, approximately 90% of mothers initiate breastfeeding, but only 50% continue exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months

Statistic 26

Breastfeeding can improve IQ scores by 2-5 points according to some longitudinal studies

Statistic 27

Breastfeeding helps improve the microbiota of infants, promoting healthy gut development

Statistic 28

In the European Union, the breastfeeding initiation rate is around 85-90%, with 65% continuing at 6 months

Statistic 29

The presence of breastfeeding support groups has been shown to double the duration of breastfeeding in some studies

Statistic 30

Breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of developing asthma and allergies in later childhood, according to some longitudinal studies

Statistic 31

Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by as much as 50%

Statistic 32

Breastfeeding can help reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal infections in infants by up to 40%

Statistic 33

Breastfeeding promotes mother-infant bonding through skin-to-skin contact

Statistic 34

Breastfeeding can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in mothers

Statistic 35

Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers

Statistic 36

Breastfeeding is associated with higher IQ scores in children, with some studies showing a difference of 3 points on average

Statistic 37

Breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation postpartum, contributing to natural child spacing

Statistic 38

In the United States, about 83% of newborns initiate breastfeeding, but only around 55% are exclusively breastfed at 3 months

Statistic 39

Breastfeeding contributes to the reduction of neonatal mortality rates, particularly in low-income countries

Statistic 40

Breastfed infants have a lower risk of respiratory infections, reducing hospitalizations by approximately 30%

Statistic 41

Breastfeeding has been linked to lower rates of postpartum depression, although the evidence is mixed

Statistic 42

The World Health Organization estimates that better breastfeeding practices could save roughly 800,000 child lives annually

Statistic 43

The presence of maternal support increases the chance of sustained breastfeeding by up to 50%

Statistic 44

Frequent breastfeeding can help mothers burn an additional 300-500 calories daily, aiding postpartum weight loss

Statistic 45

The global infant mortality rate is reduced in populations with high breastfeeding rates, especially in rural communities

Statistic 46

Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of childhood leukemia, with some studies indicating 20-30% lower risk

Statistic 47

Breastfeeding can delay ovulation, providing natural contraception for some women in the early postpartum period

Statistic 48

The introduction of community-based breastfeeding promotion programs can increase exclusive breastfeeding rates by 10-20%

Statistic 49

Socioeconomic factors significantly influence breastfeeding rates, with richer households more likely to breastfeed exclusively

Statistic 50

Breastfeeding rates are higher among mothers with higher educational levels, indicating socioeconomic disparities

Statistic 51

The provision of lactation rooms and policies in workplaces can increase breastfeeding duration by an average of 3 months

Statistic 52

Among women in the lowest income quintile, only about 30% initiate breastfeeding, compared to over 80% in the highest quintile

Statistic 53

Some workplaces report an increase in employee satisfaction and retention rates when providing breastfeeding accommodations

Statistic 54

In the United States, breastfeeding initiation rates are higher among white women (about 89%) compared to Black women (about 70%), reflecting racial disparities

Slide 1 of 54

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 41% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months in low- and middle-income countries
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by as much as 50%
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for up to 2 years or longer
Only 44% of infants worldwide are breastfed within the first hour of birth
Exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months are highest in East Asia and Pacific at 53%
Breastfeeding can help reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal infections in infants by up to 40%
Breastfeeding promotes mother-infant bonding through skin-to-skin contact
The global rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months is approximately 42%
Breastfeeding can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in mothers
Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers
Breastfeeding can reduce the healthcare costs related to infant illnesses by up to $3,000 per child annually
The average duration of breastfeeding in high-income countries is about 17 weeks
In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 58% of infants are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months

Despite being one of the simplest and most natural acts of motherhood, breastfeeding remains a vital yet underutilized tool in safeguarding infant health worldwide, with only 41% of infants in low- and middle-income countries receiving exclusive breastfeeding for their first six months.

Economic Aspects of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can reduce the healthcare costs related to infant illnesses by up to $3,000 per child annually
The average cost of formula feeding in the first year can be up to $1,500 per family, while breastfeeding reduces this cost substantially
Breastfeeding is considered a cost-effective intervention with a high return on investment in terms of child health outcomes

Economic Aspects of Breastfeeding Interpretation

Breastfeeding not only provides a healthy start for infants but also delivers a financial punchline—saving families thousands annually and proving that nature's investment pays dividends in both health and wallet.

Global and Regional Breastfeeding Rates

Approximately 41% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months in low- and middle-income countries
Only 44% of infants worldwide are breastfed within the first hour of birth
Exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months are highest in East Asia and Pacific at 53%
The global rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months is approximately 42%
The average duration of breastfeeding in high-income countries is about 17 weeks
In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 58% of infants are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months
The rate of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of birth is around 69% globally
Nearly 60% of infants globally receive breastfeeding support from healthcare providers
The prevalence of breastfeeding at 12 months is approximately 25% worldwide
In Latin America and the Caribbean, exclusive breastfeeding rates reach about 63% at 4 months
The prevalence of breastfeeding at 2 years is about 17% globally
In Nepal, exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months reach around 65%, one of the highest in Asia
The initiation rate of breastfeeding in maternity wards improved after implementing Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative standards, increasing by 20%
In India, approximately 54% of infants are exclusively breastfed at 6 months, showing room for improvement
The average duration of breastfeeding in sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 19 months, longer than in many other regions
The proportion of infants exclusively breastfed at 4-6 months varies widely by country, with some nations reaching over 70%
Globally, less than half of infants are breastfed within the first hour of birth, indicating gaps in immediate postnatal care
The percentage of mothers who breastfeed exclusively at 12 months is below 20% in many countries, emphasizing need for better support

Global and Regional Breastfeeding Rates Interpretation

While global breastfeeding initiation within the first hour boasts a promising 69% rate, the fact that only around 41% of infants in low- and middle-income countries are exclusively breastfed for six months underscores the urgent need for universal support and education to transform early initiation into sustained nourishment.

Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for up to 2 years or longer
Breastfeeding support programs increase exclusive breastfeeding rates by 20-30%
Breastfeeding can lead to longer-term health benefits, including reduced risk of childhood obesity
In Australia, approximately 90% of mothers initiate breastfeeding, but only 50% continue exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months
Breastfeeding can improve IQ scores by 2-5 points according to some longitudinal studies
Breastfeeding helps improve the microbiota of infants, promoting healthy gut development
In the European Union, the breastfeeding initiation rate is around 85-90%, with 65% continuing at 6 months
The presence of breastfeeding support groups has been shown to double the duration of breastfeeding in some studies
Breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of developing asthma and allergies in later childhood, according to some longitudinal studies

Health Benefits of Breastfeeding Interpretation

While global breastfeeding initiatives and support programs significantly boost initiation and continuation rates—offering children healthier gut microbiota, cognitive gains, and reduced risks of obesity, asthma, and allergies—the stark drop from initiation to sustained exclusive breastfeeding highlights persistent challenges in translating medical recommendations into lasting practice.

Impact of Breastfeeding on Infant and Maternal Health

Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by as much as 50%
Breastfeeding can help reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal infections in infants by up to 40%
Breastfeeding promotes mother-infant bonding through skin-to-skin contact
Breastfeeding can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in mothers
Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers
Breastfeeding is associated with higher IQ scores in children, with some studies showing a difference of 3 points on average
Breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation postpartum, contributing to natural child spacing
In the United States, about 83% of newborns initiate breastfeeding, but only around 55% are exclusively breastfed at 3 months
Breastfeeding contributes to the reduction of neonatal mortality rates, particularly in low-income countries
Breastfed infants have a lower risk of respiratory infections, reducing hospitalizations by approximately 30%
Breastfeeding has been linked to lower rates of postpartum depression, although the evidence is mixed
The World Health Organization estimates that better breastfeeding practices could save roughly 800,000 child lives annually
The presence of maternal support increases the chance of sustained breastfeeding by up to 50%
Frequent breastfeeding can help mothers burn an additional 300-500 calories daily, aiding postpartum weight loss
The global infant mortality rate is reduced in populations with high breastfeeding rates, especially in rural communities
Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of childhood leukemia, with some studies indicating 20-30% lower risk
Breastfeeding can delay ovulation, providing natural contraception for some women in the early postpartum period
The introduction of community-based breastfeeding promotion programs can increase exclusive breastfeeding rates by 10-20%

Impact of Breastfeeding on Infant and Maternal Health Interpretation

Breastfeeding isn't just a nourishing act; it's a comprehensive strategy that boosts infant survival, shields against infections and chronic diseases, strengthens maternal and infant bonds, and even offers metabolic and cognitive benefits, making it arguably nature's most effective pediatric and maternal health intervention—though roughly half of new mothers still miss out on its full potential.

Socioeconomic and Policy Influences on Breastfeeding

Socioeconomic factors significantly influence breastfeeding rates, with richer households more likely to breastfeed exclusively
Breastfeeding rates are higher among mothers with higher educational levels, indicating socioeconomic disparities
The provision of lactation rooms and policies in workplaces can increase breastfeeding duration by an average of 3 months
Among women in the lowest income quintile, only about 30% initiate breastfeeding, compared to over 80% in the highest quintile
Some workplaces report an increase in employee satisfaction and retention rates when providing breastfeeding accommodations
In the United States, breastfeeding initiation rates are higher among white women (about 89%) compared to Black women (about 70%), reflecting racial disparities

Socioeconomic and Policy Influences on Breastfeeding Interpretation

Despite undeniable health benefits, breastfeeding disparities persist along socioeconomic and racial lines, highlighting that policy support and equity are essential for nurturing both babies and societal well-being.