Examining Associations Between Sociodemographic Characteristics and Ever Breastfed Children, NHANES 1999–2020

Although breastfeeding provides health benefits to both mother and child, this study aimed to explore whether disparities in breastfeeding continue to exist, particularly among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) mothers and children. We performed a cross-sectional analysis among 19,830 children in the United States (US) using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2020. Breastfeeding initiation and duration rates increased overall from 1999 to 2020. Children who were ever breastfed were more likely to have higher body weight, older mothers, mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy, a higher family poverty–income ratio (PIR), food security, mothers in excellent health, and mothers who had not seen a mental health professional in the past year. NHB children were breastfed at significantly lower rates and for shorter duration than non-Hispanic White (NHW), Mexican, Other Hispanic, and Other/Multi-Racial children. NHB children were breastfed less than other racial groups, including minority Mexican children with similar average PIR, suggesting a possible unique experience for NHB mothers and children. Strategies include impacting social norms and offering culturally tailored breastfeeding supports. The provision of structural supports to remove barriers to breastfeeding is a social justice issue. Breastfeeding confers health benefits to mother and child, and disparities exist among mothers and children, particularly among NHB mothers and children. The current study provides data on the most recent breastfeeding trends, showing that these disparities by race/ethnicity are present. Interestingly, even among Mexican participants of a similar PIR, NHB children were still breastfed less.