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In a new study published on December 30 in Pediatrics, researchers have found that breastfeeding initiation rates increased significantly during the 2022 infant formula shortage. This surge in breastfeeding continued even after the crisis ended, suggesting a lasting shift in infant feeding practices.
The study, led by Luis Seoane Estruel from the University of Connecticut and Dr. Tatiana Andreyeva, analyzed national birth certificate data from 47 states and the District of Columbia, spanning the years 2016 to 2022. The researchers focused on changes in breastfeeding-initiation rates during and after the formula shortage, revealing a notable increase of 1.96 percentage points during the crisis.
The increase in breastfeeding rates was not only immediate but also persisted beyond the crisis, with rates remaining higher than historical levels as 2022 came to a close. According to the study, certain groups showed particularly strong increases in breastfeeding initiation, including mothers with lower education levels, those receiving Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) assistance, residents of less populated counties, Medicaid recipients, and Black mothers—populations that historically relied more heavily on formula feeding.
Among these groups, the most significant rise was seen in those meeting multiple sociodemographic criteria, with breastfeeding initiation rates jumping by as much as 6.06 percentage points. The findings suggest that the formula shortage may have prompted many families, particularly those facing economic or access barriers, to turn to breastfeeding as an alternative.
The study also highlights a reduction in preexisting disparities in breastfeeding initiation, with the crisis contributing to a narrowing of the gap between different population groups. “The disproportionate changes for population groups with lower breastfeeding rates contributed to a reduction in preexisting disparities in breastfeeding initiation, suggesting an underlying potential for improvement,” the authors noted.
This shift in infant feeding behavior may have broader implications for future public health policies and interventions aimed at promoting breastfeeding. As the study demonstrates, even in times of crisis, there is potential for positive change that could benefit both families and infants in the long term.
For more information, see the full study: Breastfeeding Trends Following the US Infant Formula Shortage by Luis Seoane Estruel et al., published in Pediatrics (2024).
References:
- Luis Seoane Estruel et al, Breastfeeding Trends Following the US Infant Formula Shortage, Pediatrics (2024). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-067139
- Rita Wang et al, Infant Feeding Disparities Amid the Formula Shortage: Where Do We Go From Here?, Pediatrics (2024). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-06883
