The data shows that New Jersey has made notable progress in breastfeeding rates between 2019 and 2022, especially in initiation and continuation through the first year. However, when compared to Healthy People 2030 targets, there remains a gap in exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months and continued breastfeeding at 12 months.
While New Jersey outperforms the national average in both initiation and breastfeeding at 12 months, it lags slightly behind the national rate in exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months.
These trends highlight a continued need for systemic support to help families sustain breastfeeding beyond the early postpartum period. This includes:
- Ongoing lactation support through skilled professionals,
- Workplace accommodations for nursing parents, and
- Enhanced access to postpartum home visiting programs.
On a positive note, the increases across all metrics reflect the success of current initiatives throughout the state, including:
- Expansion of lactation professional training,
- Growth of maternal-child health initiatives, and
- Investment in community-based support programs.
See how breastfeeding rates in New Jersey have changed over time.
| Initiation of breastfeeding | Exclusive at 3 months | Any at 6 months | Any at 12 months | |
| CDC NJ, Births 20191 | 82.5% | 41.2% | 55.4% | 33.8% |
| CDC NJ, Births 20221 | 88.5% | 47.1% | 68.3% | 48.0% |
| Initiation | Exclusive at 6 months | Any at 12 months | |
| New Jersey1,2,3 | 88.5% | 26.1% | 48.0% |
| U.S. National1,2,3 | 85.7% | 27.9% | 40.8% |
| Healthy People 20301,2,3 | 42.4% | 54.1% |
Sources:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Immunization Survey-Child Data Results: Breastfeeding Data. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/nis_data/index.htm
2. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Healthy People 2030: Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed exclusively through age 6 months — MICH‑15. Retrieved from: https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/infants/increase-proportion-infants-who-are-breastfed-exclusively-through-age-6-months-mich-15
3. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Healthy People 2030: Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed at 1 year — MICH‑16. Retrieved from: https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/infants/increase-proportion-infants-who-are-breastfed-1-year-mich-16
Updated August 2025
