Broad-based support for breastfeeding is an essential element of maternal-child health and nutrition, as reflected by the devotion of five Healthy People 2010 objectives to this critical public health issue.  At the inception of Healthy People 2010, the only available breastfeeding data source was the Ross Laboratories (Similac™) Mothers’ Survey.  It could not provide breastfeeding exclusivity data, and methodologic issues compromised data utility.  Since 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Immunization Survey (NIS) continues to collect national and state level breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity data.

The NIS is now the official breastfeeding data source for Healthy People 2010.  This allows for inclusion of two new breastfeeding objectives for exclusivity.  The original three breastfeeding objectives remain: to enable 75 percent of new mothers to initiate breastfeeding, 50 percent to continue breastfeeding for six months, and 25 percent to continue for 12 months.  The two new exclusivity goals are for 40 percent of mothers to exclusively breastfeed to 3 months, and 17 percent to exclusively breastfeed to 6 months.

These changes assist public health professionals in supporting families to meet established health goals to provide infants only breast milk until 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced and beyond.