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Maternal, Perinatal, and Pediatric Nutrition

Category: Maternal, Perinatal, and Pediatric Nutrition (I) (Poster Session)

Maternal, Perinatal, and Pediatric Nutrition (I) (Poster Session)

(P23-42-26) Barriers and Facilitators to Adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding Guidelines Among U.S. Mothers

Sunday, July 26, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Location: Poster Board C-42
Disclosure(s):
Saathwika Suraram: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Kim Lash-Rosenberg, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: In 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its breastfeeding recommendations to encourage mothers to breastfeed for at least 24 months if it is mutually desired by mother and child, representing an increase compared to previous recommendations to breastfeed in combination with complementary food for at least 12 months. Evidence is lacking on the impact of this recommendation on mothers’ intention to breastfeed, as well as on barriers and facilitators for extended breastfeeding in the U.S. Hence, the objective of this study was to understand breastfeeding practices, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators in US mothers with children 3 years and younger.

Methods: Through Facebook interest groups (n=10), we conducted a survey that combined previously validated scales with additional questions related to knowledge and beliefs related to the 2022 AAP recommendations.

Results: In total, 225 mothers with children three years and younger completed the survey; 72.6% had college education, 99.1% were non-Hispanic White, and the average age of the children was 1.5 ± 0.5 years. Only 38.2% knew the 2022 AAP recommendations. Similarly, 78.2% breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of life, 18.2% breastfed for at least 12 months, and 2.7% for at least 24 months. The most common barriers for mothers included soreness (25.2%), family/friends being unsupportive (23.9%), not having a private/safe space to breastfeed (36.3%) and issues with latching (33%). Facilitators were not having to go back to work (36.3%), having enough time to breastfeed (41.2%), not having problems with milk supply (38.1%), and the mother having a preference for breastfeeding (31.9%). 

Conclusions: In this sample of highly educated women, there was limited knowledge and adherence to the 2022 AAP breastfeeding guidelines. Information on barriers and facilitators from this study can lead to interventions to promote extended breastfeeding among U.S. women.

Funding Sources: No external funding