Trends in Breastfeeding Practices in Los Angeles County (1999-2011)

Background: Data from the Los Angeles County Health Survey (LACHS) show an increasing trend in Los Angeles County of mothers who are initiating breastfeeding: 92.2% in 2007 compared to 79.2% in 1999. Methods: Breastfeeding trends are based on data from the 1999, 2002-03, 2005, 2007 and 2011 LACHS, a population-based telephone survey. 2011 LACHS data is currently being constructed and will be included in the trend analysis. Results: The percent of mothers who reported breastfeeding at 6 months increased from 40.0% in 1999 to 61.2% in 2007. The percent of mothers who reported breastfeeding at 12 months increased in each data collection year, rising from 19.6% in 1999 to 34.9% in 2007. Although the percentage of mothers sustaining breastfeeding at 6 and 12 months have risen in the past decade, breastfeeding rates decline steadily over the infant's first year, with fewer mothers still breastfeeding their infants at 6 and 12 months. However, racial and ethnic disparities persist, with African American mothers (77.1%) having lower breastfeeding initiation rates compared to Whites (95.7%), Latinas (92.9%) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (92.2%). Breastfeeding rates at 6 and 12 months are low, especially for African American and Asian/Pacific Islander mothers. Furthermore, foreign-born Latinas were more likely to initiate breastfeeding and continue breastfeeding at 6 and 12 months compared to U.S. born Latinas. Conclusion: The findings presented in this report highlight the continued need for a comprehensive breastfeeding support system that includes culturally and linguistically targeted components that promotes and sustains breastfeeding among mothers in the county.