In the researcher's letter to Sara, it was stated: Women who reported giving their baby a bottle in weeks 4 or later were more likely to continue breastfeeding to 12 weeks than women who did not. Clearly, breastfeeding can be successfully combined with bottle feeding once breastfeeding is established. I wonder if this isn't like the figures that R--- cited several years ago. They don't state WHAT is in the bottles. They don't indicate the reason for the supplementation. Considering current statistics, I suspect many if not most of these are women employed outside the home (how about WEOTH as a short term?). In how many instances are they bottles of EBM while mom is away. Certainly, a mom who pumps at work will be breastfeeding longer than one who doesn't (in most cases). Are the moms replacing a feed with the bottle or merely offering a little from time to time to keep baby familiar with the "alternate food source"? The statement as it appears in the letter does not have enough info to lead to the conclusion given. Perhaps when it is published there will be further explanation, but I suspect that the mind set of the researcher is that mixed feeding is just fine. Winnie IBCLC *********************************************** 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