LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for October 2001

Ross Mothers' Survey

The Ross Mothers' Survey has been conducted since 1955. Ross Products is a Division of Abbott Laboratories, makers of infant formula. They have tracked breastfeeding rates since 1955, and have recently released their statistics through the year 2000. This survey has not been published this year.

This year the Mothers' Survey has documented an all-time high of 68.4% of breastfeeding initiation in the year 2000. Further, the trend of those still breastfeeding at six months of age has followed a similar trajectory: In 1970 the rate was 27.1%, and in the year 2000 it is 31.4%, with 17.6% still breastfeeding at one year. The group with the largest increase in the initiation of breastfeeding is in African American mothers, with an increase of 27.8% from the year 1990 to 2000, followed closely by mothers who are less than 20 years old, showing an increase of 26.2% in the same time period. This establishes a newer trend over the past two years, where in previous years the largest increases had been in the caucasian population, particularly among older, well educated women. Breastfeeding initiation is over 80% in newborns in the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Mothers who are employed part-time are breastfeeding at higher rates than mothers who are not employed, and 66.2% of mothers who work full time now initiate breastfeeding.

A spokesman for Ross has indicated that they plan to list the Mother's Survey on their website in the future.

The CBI has categorized this article into the following subject categories/keywords: Statistics, Trends, Minority Mothers, WIC, Working, Teen Mothers, Prematures, Education, Extended Breastfeeding, Parity