Key points
Learn about the SummerStyles survey which reports results on public opinions about breastfeeding by year. SummerStyles is a national marketing survey that annually collects health-related opinions of men and women 18 years or older.
SummerStyles survey
SummerStyles (formerly called HealthStyles) is a private, proprietary national marketing survey. It annually collects health-related opinions of men and women aged 18 years or older. A wide variety of breastfeeding topics have been surveyed since 1999, such as:
- Public opinions toward breastfeeding policies.
- Support for breastfeeding at workplaces.
- Beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding.
- Feelings of embarrassment regarding breastfeeding in public.
Click the year to see the questions and results on public opinions regarding breastfeeding that year.
SummerStyles surveys by year
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop breast cancer later in her life. | 4,061 | 23.97% | 66.69% | 9.34% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop high blood pressure later in her life. | 4,060 | 15.56% | 76.00% | 8.43% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in her life. | 4,060 | 15.43% | 74.36% | 10.21% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public spaces. | 4,063 | 69.02% | 21.60% | 9.38% |
| There should be paid maternity leave for workers. | 4,068 | 77.50% | 17.47% | 5.03% |
| Foods that babies eat influence what they eat as older children. | 4,064 | 62.00% | 30.13% | 7.86% |
| Baby and toddler foods should not have added sugar. | 4,062 | 72.97% | 22.53% | 4.49% |
| It is safe for mothers with COVID-19 to breastfeed if they take precautions (wearing mask and washing hands). | 4,056 | 28.12% | 52.03% | 19.85% |
| Physical activity during pregnancy is safe. | 4,061 | 80.18% | 16.55% | 3.26% |
| It is safe for a breastfeeding mother to use marijuana regularly. | 4,064 | 4.69% | 26.36% | 68.95% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public spaces. | 4,072 | 68.02% | 21.45% | 10.53% |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies. | 4,072 | 66.94% | 24.24% | 8.82% |
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,068 | 24.05% | 43.73% | 32.22% |
| There should be paid maternity leave for workers. | 4,059 | 76.75% | 17.51% | 5.74% |
| Foods that babies eat influence what they eat as older children. | 4,061 | 54.28% | 33.49% | 12.23% |
| Baby and toddler foods should not have added sugar. | 4,064 | 72.33% | 21.86% | 5.81% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop breast cancer later in her life. | 4,071 | 25.37% | 61.98% | 12.65% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop high blood pressure later in her life. | 4,068 | 14.80% | 72.61% | 12.59% |
| I believe it is acceptable for mothers to feed their baby with the breast milk obtained informally from another mother (not including pasteurized breast milk from a milk bank). | 4,072 | 34.29% | 44.79% | 20.92% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Responses | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Have you ever heard about mothers feeding their babies with breast milk from another mother through an informal arrangement such as an internet exchange (not including pasteurized breast milk from a milk bank)? | 4,079 | Yes 39.74% No 60.26% |
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| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 4,121 | 57.75% | 23.13% | 19.12% | |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 4,117 | 63.74% | 23.03% | 13.24% | |
| Women should be encouraged to breastfeed. | 4,117 | 62.91% | 32.55% | 4.54% | |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies. | 4,120 | 57.31% | 28.88% | 13.81% | |
| A mother needs lots of support to breastfeed her baby. | 4,116 | 49.17% | 35.06% | 15.77% | |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,120 | 46.67% | 33.30% | 20.02% | |
| I would support financial incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,115 | 41.07% | 37.84% | 21.09% | |
| There should be paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,122 | 69.72% | 20.45% | 9.83% | |
| Foods that babies eat influence what they eat as older children. | 4,114 | 60.91% | 26.57% | 12.52% | |
| Baby and toddler foods should not have added sugar. | 4,117 | 72.04% | 22.13% | 5.83% | |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,247 | 15.52% | 26.28% | 58.21% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,251 | 56.79% | 31.00% | 12.21% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,003 | 24.58% | 40.04% | 35.37% |
| Breast milk is specially designed to meet a baby’s nutritional needs. | 4,009 | 80.37% | 15.84% | 3.79% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,007 | 11.06% | 45.92% | 43.02% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,013 | 51.68% | 31.00% | 17.32% |
| There should be laws that protect a mother’s right to pump breast milk while at work. | 4,006 | 52.42% | 31.70% | 15.88% |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,010 | 53.74% | 26.23% | 20.02% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,014 | 20.20% | 31.99% | 47.81% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Respondents | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding recently? Please check all that apply. | 4,008 | Percent of those who responded positively
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| Have you seen or heard a campaign entitled “It’s Only Natural. Mother’s Love. Mother’s Milk”? | 4,008 | Responses
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| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,158 | 25.66% | 40.86% | 33.48% |
| Breast milk is specially designed to meet a baby’s nutritional needs. | 4,152 | 82.85% | 14.31% | 2.84% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,154 | 13.00% | 47.76% | 39.24% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,151 | 52.28% | 29.87% | 17.85% |
| There should be laws that protect a mother’s right to pump breast milk while at work. | 4,157 | 51.91% | 31.66% | 16.43% |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,153 | 53.94% | 25.60% | 20.47% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,148 | 20.08% | 31.46% | 48.46% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| Where have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding recently? Please check all that apply. | 4,144 | Percent of those who responded positively
|
| Have you seen or heard a campaign entitled “It’s Only Natural. Mother’s Love. Mother’s Milk”? | 4,153 | |
Responses
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| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,034 | 56.02% | 27.81 | 16.16% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,026 | 18.08% | 24.64 | 57.28% |
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as flexible break times, for breastfeeding mothers. | 4,030 | 64.39% | 24.49 | 11.12% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 3,980 | 26.37% | 35.41% | 38.23% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,003 | 20.53% | 30.80% | 48.68% |
| 1-year-old children should not be breastfed by their mother. | 4,021 | 30.44% | 35.27% | 34.29% |
| A mother who breastfeeds has to give up too many lifestyle habits like favorite foods, cigarette smoking, and drinking alcohol. | 4,035 | 48.19% | 21.39% | 30.42% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 4,109 | 58.64% | 23.42% | 17.94% |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies. | 4,082 | 55.18% | 29.62% | 15.20% |
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 4,099 | 43.79% | 33.14% | 23.07% |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,071 | 36.16% | 35.88% | 27.96% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,087 | 45.13% | 30.43% | 24.44% |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,087 | 46.08% | 30.40% | 23.52% |
| It is embarrassing for a mother to breastfeed in front of others. | 4,070 | 32.08% | 35.71% | 32.20% |
| Breastfeeding is healthier for babies than formula feeding. | 4,079 | 72.88% | 21.97% | 5.14% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 4,508 | 56.0% | 30.2% | 13.8% |
| I would support tax incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,459 | 25.3% | 35.9% | 38.8% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,479 | 45.5% | 30.5% | 24.0% |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,490 | 46.7% | 36.3% | 17.1% |
| Breastfeeding or pumping milk at work is a personal choice, not something a manager should have to deal with. | 4,446 | 40.6% | 33.5% | 25.8% |
| It is inconvenient for others at work when women take time to breastfeed or pump milk during work hours. | 4,462 | 26.4% | 39.5% | 34.1% |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,462 | 44.7% | 29.0% | 26.3% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mothers who breastfeed should do so in private places only. | 4,326 | 35.8% | 26.0% | 38.2% |
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 4,350 | 44.1% | 24.6% | 31.3% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 4,321 | 52.0% | 23.8% | 24.2% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,163 | 20.2% | 27.2% | 52.6% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 5,142 | 50.6% | 31.5% | 17.8% |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 5,100 | 49.4% | 31.3% | 19.3% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,982 | 47.2% | 28.7% | 24.0% |
| I would support tax incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,911 | 30.3% | 34.1% | 35.6% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breastmilk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,748 | 21.4% | 32.5% | 46.2% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get ear infections. | 4,705 | 20.7% | 34.3% | 45% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, or pneumonia. | 4,720 | 19.1% | 32.7% | 48.2% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,697 | 9.6% | 32.5% | 57.9% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get diarrhea. | 4,686 | 7.1% | 32.2% | 60.7% | |
| Infant formula is as good as breastmilk. | 4,730 | 28.3% | 29.1% | 42.6% | |
| Babies should be breastfed at least for the first 6 months. | 4,699 | 49.1% | 32.3% | 18.6% | |
| Babies should be exclusively breastfed (fed only breastmilk) for the first 6 months. | 4,686 | 27.6% | 36.4% | 36% | |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Responses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the past month, have you seen an advertisement on TV that shows pregnant women riding mechanical bulls or in a log rolling competition? | 4,753 |
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| Have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding anywhere recently? Please check all that apply. | 4,730 | Percent of those who responded positively
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| How safe is the flu shot for women who are breastfeeding? | 4,090 | % Responding | |
| Very safe: 10 | 11.1% | ||
| 9 | 3.4% | ||
| 8 | 5.6% | ||
| 7 | 4.3% | ||
| 6 | 6.6% | ||
| 5 | 31.2% | ||
| 4 | 6.1% | ||
| 3 | 6.6% |
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| 2 | 6.0% | ||
| Not at all safe: 1 | 19.2% | ||
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,275 | 23.3% | 31.0% | 45.7% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get ear infections. | 4,273 | 18.5% | 33.5% | 48.1% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, or pneumonia. | 4,282 | 16.5% | 36.6% | 46.9% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,281 | 7.3% | 30.4% | 62.3% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get diarrhea. | 4,261 | 5.7% | 28.9% | 65.4% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,247 | 26.4% | 32.0% | 41.6% |
| Babies should be breastfed at least for the first 6 months. | 4,259 | 48.2% | 35.2% | 16.6% |
| Babies should be exclusively breastfed (fed only breast milk) for the first 6 months. | 4,264 | 28.6% | 35.5% | 35.9% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Responses |
|---|---|---|
| In the past month, have you seen an advertisement on TV that shows pregnant women riding mechanical bulls or in a log rolling competition? | 4,290 |
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| Have you seen, heard, or read anything about breastfeeding anywhere recently? Please check all that apply. (Not a Likert scale question) | 4,233 |
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| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 3,969 | 24.4% | 35.9% | 39.6% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get ear infections. | 3,960 | 19.3% | 37.9% | 42.8% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, or pneumonia. | 3,953 | 18.6% | 39.2% | 42.2% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 3,945 | 7.4% | 35.2% | 57.4% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get diabetes. | 3,917 | 4.0% | 33.1% | 62.9% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 3,958 | 25.7% | 31.5% | 42.8% |
| Mothers who breastfeed should do so in private places only. | 3,976 | 37.0% | 26.7% | 36.3% |
| Babies should be breastfed at least for the first 6 months. | 3,916 | 48.9% | 35.9% | 15.2% |
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 3,976 | 48.1% | 21.6% | 30.3% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Not a Likert scale question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding anywhere recently? Please check all that apply. | 3,969 |
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| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally – it needs to be learned. | 4,253 | 29.0% | 38.3% | 32.8% |
| A mother needs lots of support to breastfeed her baby. | 4,281 | 41.0% | 39.4% | 19.6% |
| A mother’s friends have a lot of influence on whether or not she breastfeeds her baby. | 4,313 | 30.8% | 39.4% | 29.8% |
| A mother’s mother has a lot of influence on whether or not she breastfeeds her baby. | 4,261 | 38.5% | 39.2% | 22.2% |
| A mother’s decision to breastfeed is influenced by what she sees others do. | 4,262 | 25.1% | 46.7% | 28.3% |
| A father can feel left out if the mother breastfeeds their baby. | 4,276 | 18.9% | 31.2% | 49.8% |
| A father has a lot of influence whether or not his baby is breastfed. | 3,943 | 26.1% | 39.5% | 34.3% |
| Doctors look down on a mother if she bottle-feeds her baby. | 4,247 | 7.4% | 37.1% | 55.4% |
| Doctors don’t always support a mother’s decision to breastfeed her baby. | 4,283 | 15.8% | 46.2% | 38.0% |
| Doctors have a lot influence on whether or not a mother breastfeeds her baby. | 4,266 | 31.7% | 45.6% | 22.7% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 3,691 | 49.7% | 31.8% | 18.5% |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 3,647 | 47.4% | 32.3% | 20.3% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 3,668 | 43.1% | 30.9% | 26.0% |
| I would support tax incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 3,657 | 27.0% | 32.7% | 40.2% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 3,680 | 43.1% | 28.6% | 28.2% |
| Shopping malls should provide private places to help women breastfeed their babies. | 3,679 | 52.1% | 28.7% | 19.2% |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies. | 3,681 | 40.7% | 33.1% | 26.2% |
| I believe breastfeeding education should be available as part of a high school health education curriculum. | 3,670 | 33.5% | 30.4% | 36.1% |
| It is appropriate to show a woman breastfeeding her baby on TV programs. | 3,624 | 27.9% | 32.5% | 39.6% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babies ought to be fed cereal or baby food by the time they are 3 months old. | 2,273 | 31.1% | 37.7% | 31.2% |
| 1-year-old children should not be breastfed by their mother. | 2,322 | 30.6% | 32.6% | 36.8% |
| A mother can’t breastfeed her baby and work or go to school. | 2,300 | 10.4% | 11.9% | 77.7% |
| Women commonly have problems making enough milk for their babies. | 2,276 | 12.5% | 51.2% | 36.3% |
| Breastfed babies do not feel as close to their fathers and grandparents as bottle fed babies. | 2,314 | 6.5% | 24.6% | 68.9% |
| A mother who breastfeeds has to give up too many lifestyle habits like favorite foods, cigarette smoking, and drinking alcohol. | 2,296 | 44.6% | 20.3% | 35.1% |
| Breastfeeding is painful to the mother. | 2,277 | 7.6% | 28.3% | 64.2% |
| Breastfeeding will tie the mother down and interfere too much with her social life. | 2,319 | 9.0% | 18.5% | 72.6% |
| Breastfeeding a baby correctly is hard to learn. | 2,295 | 9.1% | 27.4% | 63.5% |
| Breastfed babies cry a lot more than bottle fed babies. | 2,261 | 4.9% | 29.0% | 66.1% |
| It is embarrassing for a mother to breastfeed in front of others. | 2,254 | 26.8% | 26.6% | 46.6% |
| Breastfeeding will spoil a baby. | 2,321 | 2.8% | 12.0% | 85.2% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding is healthier for babies than formula feeding. | 2,588 | 67.6% | 25.0% | 7.3% |
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 2,557 | 21.7% | 36.9% | 41.4% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 2,552 | 14.3% | 33.7% | 51.9% |
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 2,600 | 49.9% | 22.1% | 28.0% |
| Mothers who breastfeed should do so in private places only. | 2,607 | 34.8% | 26.2% | 38.9% |
| If a close friend or relative was having a baby, I would recommend she breastfeed. | 2,573 | 52.4% | 34.6% | 12.9% |
| Women should be encouraged to breastfeed. | 2,608 | 55.2% | 35.2% | 9.7% |