Description - Figure 3 - Breastfeeding initiation by age, marital status and area of residence, Canada, 2009-2010

This bar graph shows the percentage of mothers who initiated breastfeeding by age, marital status and area of residence for the data collection period 2009-2010 of the Canadian Community Health Survey. It is based on information provided by females aged 15 to 55 who had a baby in the last 5 years. Breastfeeding initiation refers to mothers who breastfed or tried to breastfeed their last child even if only for a short time.

In Canada overall, 87.3 percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding.
Among mothers aged 15 to 24 years, 84.0 percent initiated breastfeeding.
Among mothers aged 25 to 34 years, 86.8 percent initiated breastfeeding.
Among mothers aged 35 to 55 years, 89.0 percent initiated breastfeeding.
Among mothers who were married or common-law, 88.5 percent initiated breastfeeding.
Among mothers who were widowed, separated, divorced or single, 80.6 percent initiated breastfeeding.
Among mothers living in an urban area, 87.5 percent initiated breastfeeding.
Among mothers living in a rural area, 86.3 percent initiated breastfeeding.