Social background and breastfeeding among American mothers

Using 1965 National Fertility Survey data, the national trends and patterns of breastfeeding among American mothers are examined. A review of the literature finds most results of studies to be inconsistent. In this study the total sample was 4918 mothers with first births. The general conclusion is that breastfeeding has been declining since the turn of the century. 50% breastfed their first child. Black and Latin American mothers are about 7 points above the average. Northwest European (English and German) mothers had higher rates than mothers from Irish, Slavic, French or Italian backgrounds. Being a Catholic makes a mother less likely to breastfeed her first baby for most all nationality groups except Latin American. Farm mothers were much more likely to have breastfed their first baby than nonfarm mothers, 64% to 49%. The South and West geographical districts were 6-8 points above the grand mean while the Midwest and Northeast are below it. Only 40% of mothers in the Northeast breastfeed. By education, the lowest educational category (6 years or less) have the highest breastfeeding rates, 74%, which declines to high school graduates who have a low of 44%, then rises with a college education. The college educated group is the next highest category after the lowest educated group. White collar workers and service employed were the highest groups among occupations of those breastfeeding.