Half of Moms Say They Stopped Breastfeeding Earlier Than They Wanted

For many parents, breastfeeding is one of the most emotionally charged parts of early parenthood and often one of the most misunderstood. The plan to breastfeed often starts with high hopes, but a new survey finds that half of moms stop breastfeeding earlier than they want to, often due to barriers far beyond their control.

The research, released by global parent-care brand Tommee Tippee to mark World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), surveyed US mothers and found that 85% wanted to breastfeed but 50% couldn’t, despite trying. The top reasons ranged from physical pain (32%) and low milk supply (31%) to lack of hands-on help (27%) and mental health struggles (26%).

The emotional toll was just as striking. Fifty-one percent felt lonely during feeding, 56% felt ashamed and 52% felt judged when they could not breastfeed. More than half (53%) reported feeling pressured to feed a certain way even when it was not right for them or their baby.

The study also highlights racial disparities. Black women reported the highest need for stronger breastfeeding support (57%) and were more likely than other groups to say they felt pressured by family, hospitals and social media to breastfeed. Over half (55%) said they experienced shame when they could not. Asian (60%) and Hispanic (56%) women also reported wishing they could have breastfed longer at rates higher than White women (48%).

Image: Bri McDaniel, Anne-Laure Kesteman | Eye Mama Project

“This research confirms what many of us have known for years. Most mothers want to breastfeed, but far too many stop before they are ready. It is not for lack of effort. It is because they are in pain, they are exhausted or they cannot find the help they need,” Krystal Duhaney, RN, BSN, IBCLC, and founder of MilkyMama, a lactation support company, said in a press release. “As a nurse and lactation consultant, I hear these stories every day. Mothers blame themselves, but the real failure is in the system that was supposed to support them. No one should feel ashamed for how they feed their baby.”

To help close the support gap, Tommee Tippee is launching a monthly Ask Me Anything Live series with Duhaney, offering real stories, expert advice and practical guidance for all feeding journeys without judgment. The brand is also spotlighting raw, intimate photography from The Eye Mama Project, capturing the beauty and complexity of breastfeeding, and partnering with MilkyMama to donate essential supplies to a Connecticut women’s shelter.

Learn more about how to find feeding support and how to support others at MarchofDimes.org.