Moms Are Committed to Breastfeeding. More Support Could Help Them Reach Their Goals.
The health benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby are well-known, which is why many experts and organizations, including the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by longer-term breastfeeding alongside complementary foods.
Many moms know the benefits and plan to breastfeed their babies, yet some aren’t able to meet the breastfeeding goals they set for themselves.
Our 2026 survey of 300 postpartum moms explores the challenges they face and the support that could help close the gap.
Moms Start with Strong Breastfeeding Goals
Moms understand the benefits of breastfeeding, are motivated to breastfeed, and even plan to continue as life changes, including when returning to work.
78%
of moms surveyed set a goal to breastfeed 4+ months
56%
set a goal to breastfeed 7+ months
79%
planned to continue breastfeeding after returning to work
But Breastfeeding Moms Face Some Shared Challenges
Breastfeeding challenges can sometimes stand in the way of moms’ breastfeeding goals they set before giving birth.
Of the moms that set a goal to breastfeed for 7+ months, nearly 40% did not achieve their goal
- 74% of moms reported that breastfeeding and keeping their baby fed contributed to feelings of stress or anxiety
- Breastfeeding confidence increased after birth, yet 1 in 4 moms still reported low confidence postpartum
ONE OF THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES?
The Right Support Could Change Breastfeeding Outcomes
57% said that better access to support would’ve helped them breastfeed longer
Many Moms Don’t Know Support is Available
Even when breastfeeding resources exist, many families don't know they’re available.
Only 35%
of moms accessed all the breastfeeding support they wanted, most commonly because they didn’t realize what resources and benefits were available
62%
didn’t know what breastfeeding benefits their insurance covered before giving birth
Support Tends to Drop Off After Leaving the Hospital
Lactation support in the hospital is common, but many moms don’t seek help after discharge.
Low milk supply was the #1 reason moms stopped breastfeeding—a common challenge that lactation support can help address
- 87% of moms were offered a lactation consultant in the hospital, but only 47% sought help after going home
Returning to Work Creates New Barriers
For many moms, returning to work adds another layer of challenges to continuing their breastfeeding journey.
Only 21%
felt their employer had a workplace lactation policy in place
44%
lacked adequate pumping space, 31% had no space at all
45%
of moms would consider switching employers for better breastfeeding resources
What Moms Say They Need Most
When asked what they needed most during the first six months postpartum, mothers overwhelmingly identified three things: mental health support, lactation support, and a supportive village—highlighting that successful breastfeeding isn’t just about feeding a baby, it's about ensuring mothers have the support they need to thrive.
There’s a clear opportunity to better support breastfeeding families with:
- Earlier education about insurance-covered benefits
- Continued lactation support after hospital discharge
- Improved workplace accommodations
- Postpartum mental health support
These are just a few things we can do to help bridge the gap between moms’ breastfeeding goals and their experiences.
At Aeroflow Breastpumps, we are proud to offer moms the most pregnancy and postpartum essentials covered through insurance, including access to virtual lactation support through our classes and appointments. Supporting mothers is at the heart of everything we do, from helping families access care to ensuring they have the education, resources, and support they need throughout their journey.
Our mission also comes to life through a variety of initiatives and campaigns, including:
- A Virtual Village: Our Pumping Room Facebook group connects moms to a supportive community and provides direct access to some of our lactation consultants.
- The Pumping Room Makeover: An initiative that we launched in 2018 to provide deserving mothers with safe, comfortable pumping spaces.
- Breastfeeding Month (August): A campaign created to raise awareness of the support breastfeeding moms need while offering free resources and expert guidance to empower moms when they need it most.
We are also thrilled to highlight our recent acquisition of Canopie, helping to ensure moms have access to mental health support when they need it most.
This research was commissioned and sponsored by Aeroflow Breastpumps in June 2026. Findings reflect responses from 300 postpartum respondents who were or still are breastfeeding and are not necessarily representative of all breastfeeding experiences. Survey conducted by a third-party administrator, Prodege.