NIS-Child Breastfeeding Rates

Key points

  • The National Immunization Survey-Child (NIS-Child) surveys U.S. households with children aged 1.5-3 years to monitor vaccine coverage in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and some cities, counties, and U.S. territories.
  • Since 2001, the NIS-Child survey has included questions about breastfeeding to monitor rates at both national and state levels.
  • Learn more about the methods, data, questions asked, results, and analysis by visiting the links below.
Mom sits on a bed and breastfeeds her baby.

National Immunization Survey-Child (NIS-Child)

CDC surveys breastfeeding practices in the United States to monitor progress over time and identify priority areas that need attention.

The National Immunization Survey-Child (NIS-Child) uses random-digit dialing to survey U.S. households with children aged 19 through 35 months. Data are used to monitor vaccine coverage in all states, the District of Columbia, and some cities, counties, and U.S. territories. The NIS-Child Survey has included breastfeeding questions since July 2001. The questions are used to monitor breastfeeding rates by birth year at both national and state levels. All surveyed U.S. households with children aged 19 through 35 months are asked the breastfeeding questions.

To view the nation's latest breastfeeding rates and statistics, use the "Results" tab or explore the Data, Trends, and Maps site.