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 over the years, such as:
- Public opinions toward breastfeeding policies.
- Support for breastfeeding at workplaces.
- Beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding.
- Feelings 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| There should be paid maternity leave for workers | 4,335 | 81.88% | 14.18% | 3.94% |
| I believe people who are breastfeeding should be allowed flexible work schedules to feed their baby or pump breast milk | 4,339 | 76.61% | 18.83% | 4.56% |
| Women should be encouraged to breastfeed | 4,335 | 66.92% | 30.25% | 2.83% |
| A mother needs lots of support to breastfeed her baby | 4,335 | 65.94% | 26.72% | 7.35% |
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick | 4,333 | 23.43% | 45.81% | 30.76% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk | 4,335 | 26.10% | 33.13% | 40.77% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places | 4,342 | 73.47% | 19.30% | 7.23% |
| Foods that babies eat influence what they eat as older children | 4,337 | 56.13% | 34.11% | 9.75% |
| I believe it is acceptable for mothers to feed their baby with breast milk obtained informally from another mother (not including pasteurized breast milk from a milk bank) | 4,339 | 44.56% | 42.08% | 13.36% |
| 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)? | 4,349 | Responses | ||
| Yes 47.86% | ||||
| No 52.14% | ||||
| 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% |
||
| 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
|
||
| 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% |
Highlighted publications using SummerStyles Breastfeeding data
Marks KJ, Grap ME, Chen J, Shi DS, Li R. High and Increased Positive Public Opinions About Supports for Breastfeeding, United States, 2015-2024. Public Health Reports®. 2026;0(0).
Boundy EO, Nelson JM, Li R. Public Belief in the Maternal Health Benefits of Breastfeeding — United States, 2018 and 2021. Prev Chronic Dis 2023;20:230010.
Nelson JM, Li R, Perrine CG, Scanlon KS. Public Opinions About Infant Feeding in the United States. Birth. 2016 Dec;43(4):313-319.