In a message dated 8/11/99 9:46:07 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << I agree that poor doesn't equal stupidity, but I have seen many, many WIC participants who know the benefits of BF and refuse to do so because they want to get their lives back to "normal" as soon as possible after the birth. And BF is inconvenient to them as they can't hand off their baby to their moms and leave for a day or two-can't leave the breasts behind, but can leave a bottle. >> I have to reiterate: I have seen many WOMEN IN GENERAL not breastfeed for these same reasons, NOT just "those WIC moms". Kathy D., didn't you do a study or survey or research of some sort some time ago regarding US women and mothering? I seem to recall a thread on Lactnet regarding this issue as it pertains to US women in general. Although WIC participants do have certain risk factors, typically financial AND medical need, (or they wouldn't receive WIC supplements) it has been my experience that their attitudes toward breastfeeding do not differ greatly from the female population at large. In fact, I would suggest they might be even MORE educated regarding breastfeeding than most because its value is discussed at every prenatal visit (at least this was the case in my very tiny speck of the world). Theresa Chmiel, CLC, ICCE Las Vegas, NV Theresa Chmiel, CLC, ICCE *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html