In a message dated 98-06-13 12:17:12 EDT, you write:

<< Now my question: is there any research about the reasons why women wean
 their baby? I would like to investigate the issue. >>

This is an interesting topic, one I am currently doing research on.  There is
almost NO literature on reasons for weaning (if you are talking about anytime
past 6 or so months, that is....)  My research title is Through a Mother's
Eyes: Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Duration.  SOME of the literature
available seems to indicate that a lack of network support (friends, family,
neighbors, or something like LLL).  Other research found no such link.  I will
be examinining this phenomenon through in-depth, face to face interviews
comparing mothers who wean EARLIER than current AAP recommendations with those
mothers who meet or exceed the AAP recs.  I have a hunch I will find a salient
difference in the mothers, beyond age, education, etc. (these factors have
already been identified as predictors).

I will be using phenomenology, ethnography (I am looking at the mothers who
wean later as a type of sub-culture, since the act of later (normal) weaning
really does set one apart from mainstream parenting advice/behavior).  I am
getting extremely excited about going to do the research (In New Haven, CT,
July-August) and I will be glad to keep ya'll posted as to the results.

Here are some articles that might help, though I must say that really the
literature is bereft of informative articles about this decision making
process.  Anyone who would like to read my lit review just email me
privately...of course I would love to correspond with any interested parties
about this.

Bryant, Carol Anne. 1982. "The Impact of Kin, Friend, and Neighbor Networks on
Infant Feeding Practices." Sociology of Science and Medicine 16: 1757-1765.

Maclean, Heather H. 1989. "Women's Experience of Breastfeeding: A Much Needed
Perspective." Health Promotion 3(4): 361-370.

Morse, Janice M., and Margaret J. Harrison. 1987. "Social Coercion for
Weaning." Journal of Nurse-Midwifery 32(4): 205-210.

Morse, Janice M. 1989. " 'Euch, Those Are For Your Husband!' Examination of
Cultural Values and Assumptions Associated with Breastfeeding." Health Care
for Women International 11: 223-232.

Simopoulos, A. and G. Grave. 1984.  "Factors Associated with the Choice and
Duration of Infant-Feeding Practice." Pediatrics 74(Suppl):603-613.

Trussell, J., Laurence Grummer-Strawn, German Rodriguez, and Mark
Vanlandingham. 1992. "Trends and Differentials in Breastfeeding Behavior:
Evidence from the WFS and DHS". Population Studies 46: 285-307.

Hope this helps..i would love to see a dialogue on this topic.

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Joy Berry-Parks
LLL, Central Arkansas
Attachment Parenting Group of AR
Anthropology Apprentice
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"Childhood Decides."---Jean Paul Sartre
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