The 2023 State of Breastfeeding Survey

Mamava and Medela surveyed more than 15,000 parents in June 2023 about their breastfeeding motivations, challenges, and support systems. The findings underscore the reality that most breastfeeding parents also pump and that our society—from workplaces to public spaces—is not designed to provide the kind of lactation infrastructure and support parents need. Here are the upshots.

Working mothers are the majority

The majority of respondents work, with 60% working full time and 17% working part time. This data is consistent with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report that 6 in 10 of new mothers are in the workforce. This reality reinforces the need for public policies (such as the PUMP Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, both of which are new federal laws that bolster workplace support for women), as well as increased infrastructure and support in workplaces.

Most breastfeeding parents pump

Breastfeeding often conjures up the image of a woman with a baby at her breast. But only 19% of respondents reported exclusively breastfeeding while 3 out of 4 use a breast pump in addition to direct feeding at the breast. This data reinforces that for today’s parents, breastfeeding includes breast pumping.

Pumping breast milk is full of logistical challenges

The logistics of pumping—packing, transporting a pump, and cleaning pump parts—were cited by 61% of respondents as their top breastfeeding challenge. The second-ranked challenge (53%) was finding a place to pump or nurse on the go. This data suggests that employers, as well as public places, need to do more to provide the support breastfeeding parents need. The good news is that only 17% of respondents cited a lack of support from their partners and families as a barrier to breastfeeding.

Workplaces need to provide more support for breastfeeding employees

While many respondents do have a workplace lactation space, 1 in 3 parents lack access to a reliable workplace lactation space (18% reported that they only had a workplace lactation space “sometimes,” 17% did not have one, and 4% were not sure if they had one or not). Additionally 47% cited a lack of time for pumping breaks as a barrier, despite federal law (the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act) and many state laws that require employers to provide breastfeeding employees with a lactation space and reasonable break time to pump. More than 1 in 4 do not feel even somewhat supported at work and 53% aren’t sure of their workplace lactation rights.

Public spaces aren’t inclusive of breastfeeding parents’ needs

Only 15% of breastfeeding parents fully agree that public places are inclusive and supportive of their needs. To fully support the young families they serve, stadiums, museums, zoos, and other public places should evaluate their lactation accommodations.

Breastfeeding is a culturally and socially informed experience

When asked where they go for information and support, internet searches topped parents’ list of sources (58%), followed by social media and lactation consultants (53%), friends and family (52%), and breastfeeding apps (35%). Only 1 in 3 consulted pediatricians.

Survey methodology

The 2023 State of Breastfeeding Survey was fielded by Mamava and Medela over two weeks in June of 2023. Respondents were U.S. parents who are currently nursing or have breastfed within the last two years, totaling 15,511 responses.