A new national survey reveals that, while almost all mothers recognize the importance and benefits of breastfeeding both for themselves and their babies, a large majority of moms want the right to make their own infant feeding decision, based on all available information and to best suit their own family's needs.

The survey, conducted by the bipartisan team of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQRR) and Public Opinion Strategies (POS), also shows that regardless of how they fed their own baby, many moms believe infant formula is a safe alternative to breast milk.

"Mothers in the United States know what is best for their babies," says Anna Greenberg, senior vice president at GQRR. "But many moms report having to balance the needs of their baby along with competing needs of work or school, other family members and maintaining an adequate milk supply. The reality is that most moms don't choose either exclusive breastfeeding or exclusive formula feeding – they use a combination of both."

The nationally representative survey sampled opinions from 876 mothers of children aged 12 months and younger throughout the country. Eight out of 10 mothers (84 percent) believe breastfeeding is healthier for their babies, and a similar percentage (79 percent) believe it is healthier for themselves. Most mothers (83 percent) made their infant feeding decision prior to going to the hospital to give birth. The vast majority (82 percent) breastfed at some point during the first year; however, over half of the moms changed their baby's diet during the first year.

Mothers also identified a number of barriers that either prevented them from initiating or continuing breastfeeding, the most common of which include the inability to produce enough milk, returning to work and problems associated with breastfeeding (e.g., sore or cracked nipples, engorged or leaking breasts, breasts infected or abscessed).

"Many mothers want to breastfeed," says Nicole McCleskey, partner at POS, "but oftentimes they realize that when it's time to go back to work, continuing to exclusively breastfeed and maintain their milk supply can be difficult without adequate support."

When asked what government actions could help increase breastfeeding in the United States, mothers recommend support after leaving the hospital, including guaranteed paid or longer maternity leave, increased assistance from health care professionals, breastfeeding support in the workplace and access to a breast pump. "It seems like these are areas where the government could support increased breastfeeding initiation and duration," Greenberg adds.

A key finding of the survey is that mothers want access to information on infant feeding. Three out of four moms believe new mothers should receive information on breastfeeding as well as infant formula so they can make an informed choice. Most mothers agree infant formula provides flexibility and choice, as well as a means of supplementing breastfeeding, when necessary.

"This survey underscores the reality that when it comes to infant feeding, mothers want full information, flexibility and choices," says Greenberg. "Mothers know what is best for their baby; but they also know that infant feeding is complex and they want the right to make their decision based on all available information and in an environment where mothers' choice is supported."

Learn more at www.MomsFeedingFreedom.com.