Breastfeeding Parents Are Dedicated, but Support Lags Behind

2025 survey highlights persistent barriers in workplaces and public spaces

BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month, Mamava, the creator of freestanding lactation pods, and Medela, a global leader in breastfeeding innovation, released findings from the 2025 State of Breastfeeding Survey. Now in its third year, the survey captures the realities of breastfeeding in the United States. This year's data, gathered from nearly 3,000 parents, reveals strong commitment to breastfeeding alongside persistent barriers in workplaces and public settings.

Breastfeeding is associated with numerous health benefits for infants and mothers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends breastfeeding for up to two years when possible. However, survey data shows a steep decline over time: 54% of respondents breastfed for one year, while only 16% continued through year two.

Key findings include:

• 88% of parents chose breastfeeding for nutritional reasons; 75% cited bonding with their baby
• Only 44% felt supported at work; 1 in 3 lacked reliable access to a private lactation space
• 45% were unclear about their rights under the PUMP Act; 13% were unaware of the law
• 81% reported pumping or nursing in a vehicle due to inadequate designated spaces
• 1 in 3 said public places are not welcoming or inclusive for breastfeeding

"Breastfeeding is a powerful choice parents make for their babies, but they shouldn't have to navigate that journey alone," said Sascha Mayer, Mamava Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer. "Parents are doing their part. Now it's time for workplaces and public spaces to step up with the spaces, policies and respect that make breastfeeding not only possible, but sustainable."

Conducted in May, the survey reflects responses from 2,842 U.S. parents who are currently breastfeeding or have breastfed within the past two years. A majority were employed: 62% worked full-time and 20% part-time. These results emphasize the urgent need for consistent workplace accommodations. The Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act), signed into law in 2022, requires most employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for pumping during the workday.

For more information about the 2025 State of Breastfeeding Survey, visit mamava.com.

About Mamava:
Mamava is dedicated to transforming the culture of breastfeeding. The inventor of freestanding lactation pods, Mamava provides breastfeeding parents with private, comfortable spaces to pump or nurse—at work and on the go. Offering an array of products and services, from lactation room smart locks and rentals to compliance guidance and data reporting, Mamava is the expert in lactation program design. The free Mamava app (available for iOS and Android) helps breastfeeding parents find thousands of lactation spaces and unlock Mamava pods and rooms equipped with the VaRoom smart lock. Women-founded and led, Mamava designs, engineers, and assembles lactation pods at their manufacturing facilities in Vermont. Since 2013, Mamava has delivered thousands of lactation pods to organizations that span airports, hospitals, stadiums, schools, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies. To learn more about Mamava's products, services, and resources, visit mamava.com.

About Medela:
Through advancing research, observing natural behavior and listening to our customers, Medela turns science into care while nurturing health for generations. Medela supports millions of moms, babies, patients and healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries all over the world. As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela provides leading research-based breast milk feeding products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education. Medela is dedicated to building better health outcomes, simplifying and improving life, and developing breakthroughs that help moms, babies and patients live their life to the fullest. For more information, visit www.medela.com.

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Tiffany Saltis
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SOURCE Mamava