The resurgence of breastfeeding at the end of the second millennium.

There have been dramatic changes in how infants were fed during the 20th century. Almost universal at the turn of the century, breastfeeding declined until midcentury, after which it once again became the norm. Until recent years, the health benefits of breastfeeding were not emphasized, and synthetic formulations were popular. Only of late have health professionals become involved in the promotion of breastfeeding as a return to traditional values and the “natural” vs. the “artificial” way to feed infants. The same century also witnessed unprecedented cultural, social and technological changes, involving the roles of women, their income and education, and their childbirth practices. The purpose of this review is to describe the changes in breastfeeding rates and provide insight into the reasons for its resurgence in recent years. Understanding the factors that have contributed to the increase in breastfeeding may help identify strategies for further improvement in the breastfeeding rates in the United States.