Primary Care Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Support Breastfeeding: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Importance: The association between breastfeeding and health benefits in children has been previously well established; health benefits have also been found for women who breastfeed. However, breastfeeding rates in the US are relatively modest; as of 2021, 59.8% of infants at age 6 months are breastfed and 27.2% of infants at that age are exclusively breastfed. Objective: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the evidence on the benefits and harms of primary care behavioral counseling interventions to support breastfeeding. Population: Adolescents and adults who are pregnant or postpartum, and their infants and children. Evidence Assessment: The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that primary care behavioral counseling interventions to support breastfeeding have a moderate net benefit. Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends providing interventions or referrals, during pregnancy and after birth, to support breastfeeding. (B recommendation).