In a message dated 97-11-14 00:43:16 EST, you write:
Barb Heiser notes:

<< he current breastfeeding objective in HP 2000 is found in the section on
 Nutrition (2.11) and Maternal Infant Health (14.9):
         "Increase to at least 75% the proportion of mothers who breastfeed
     their
 babies in the early postpartum period and at least 50% the      proportion
who
 continue breastfeeding until their babies are 5-6       months old"

 This objective has resulted in increased visibility, fundability, and
 programatic efforts towards improving breastfeeding rates.  However, these
 objectives have currently NOT been met and further work is needed,
especially
 among the special target populations. >>

Please note that not only have the bf rates NOT been met, there has been a
teeny downward shift from 1995 stats to 1996 stats (according to Ross Labs
mother's survey which is the only consistent data we have):

Initiation rates in the hospital in 1995 were 59.7%; in 1996 they were 59.2%.
 Not dramatic in percentage points, but the first time the rates have NOT
risen since 1991. Also, if extrapolated to the entire population, that .5%
represents 20,000 less babies that had any breastmilk at all!!  (Out of a
birth rate of approximately 4,000,000).  Sigh.  Among WIC mothers, the rate
is 46.6%; among non-WIC mothers the rate is 70.8% (perhaps where someone saw
the 70% rate earlier).  Overall, at 5-6 months, the rate is abut 23.3%.  I
don't have the stats in front of me from 1995, but as I recall, this might be
a smidge higher.  For some reason, I was remembering that 6 months was about
21% then. Anyone else know?

We still have our work cut out for us....

Jan Barger, back home in Wheaton where it is cold....