Breast/Chest feeding Duration

Children in Spanish-speaking households and children whose parent/caregiver had less than a high school education were among the most likely to have exclusively breast/chest fed for at least 6 months.

In King County, 39.2% of children were breast/chest fed exclusively (i.e., no other foods, including formula) until at least six months of age in 2019 and 2021 combined. Breast/chest feeding a child for six months exclusively has health benefits for the infant, such as strengthening the immune system. It also has benefits for the parent’s health and wellbeing.  

• Language spoken at home: Children in Spanish-speaking households were more likely to have been exclusively breast/chest fed for six months, at 50.6%. 

• Parent/caregiver’s age: Parents and caregivers who were age 50 and older were less likely to have children that were breast/chest fed exclusively for 6 months.  

• Parent/caregiver’s education:  Parents and caregivers who had not graduated from high school were more likely than average to breast/chest feed for at least six months, at 52.6% 

• Race/ethnicity: Rates of breast/chest feeding through six months of age did not differ by children’s or parent/caregiver’s race/ethnicity in King County. However, parents of color are more likely to face barriers to breastfeeding including lack of paid leave and supportive workplace and child care practices.