The 2024 State of Breastfeeding Survey

“We know that parents who engage with our two brands are often really committed to breastfeeding,” said Mamava cofounder and Chief Experience Officer Sascha Mayer. “So it’s notable that the survey findings reveal that even those folks, who are going to great lengths to set up systems that allow them to meet their breastfeeding goals, are still not finding the breastfeeding support they need.”

Breastfeeding parents turn to social media and lactation consultants for information

When respondents were asked where they go for breastfeeding information and support, just as many used social media (56%) and internet searches (55%) as those that touched base with lactation consultants (55%). The findings underscore how important it is to have accurate, evidence-based content—as well as a supportive community—readily discoverable online where parents spend their time. Only one in three consulted their pediatricians.

Public spaces could do more to support breastfeeding 

Only 20% of breastfeeding parents fully agree that public places are inclusive and supportive of their needs, while one out of three parents report not feeling supported in public places. The findings suggest that public spaces such as stadiums, zoos, museums, etc. need to make more room for their breastfeeding guests and visitors.  

Breastfeeding usually includes pumping 

Breastfeeding is primarily associated with a baby at the breast, but the reality today is that almost half of breastfeeding parents (46%) use a breast pump in addition to direct feeding at the breast. Just 27% of respondents reported exclusively feeding at the breast.

Pumping is one of the biggest breastfeeding challenges 

The logistics of pumping—packing, transporting a pump, and cleaning pump parts—were cited by 60% of respondents as their top breastfeeding challenge. The second-ranked challenge (52%) was finding a place to pump or nurse on the go, which suggests that public places also need to increase support for breastfeeding parents. Ranked last at 18% was lack of support from partners and/or family. 

Most breastfeeding mothers work

The majority of survey respondents work in some capacity, with 63% working full time and 18% working part time. This finding is consistent with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report that 6 out of 10 new mothers are in the workforce and reinforces the need for federal legislation, such as the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, that protects the right for breastfeeding employees to pump milk at work. 

Many workplaces need to level up their lactation support 

The majority of respondents (66%) report having a workplace lactation space, but one out of three respondents don’t have access to, or know of, a workplace lactation space they can use on a consistent basis. And 43% (almost one out of two) respondents are not still not clear on the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act—the 2022 federal labor law that requires employers to provide breastfeeding employees with a lactation space and reasonable break time to pump. These findings suggest that employers could be doing a better job of providing lactation accommodations and educating breastfeeding employees about their legal rights.

Survey methodology

The 2024 State of Breastfeeding Survey was fielded by Mamava and Medela over three weeks in May of 2024. Respondents were U.S. parents who are currently nursing or have breastfed within the last two years, totaling 6,690 responses.