I would just suggest that you be sure to ask when formula supplements were
started, then later in the questions, ask when a bottle was started.  You
will frequently find different answers to these questions.  The purpose of
asking it two dif ways is to get to the actual answer.  Mom's memories are
a bit hazy about this and it is important to know this.  At WIC I find that
having the formula handy, most mothers try formula in the first several
weeks unless things are going perfectly, the road to weaning begins and
seems to be downhill all the way(towards weaning to total formula).   We
even have mothers who call, and because they can't get an appointment in
the next week will continue bf.  These are the rare few. l)because we
usually give appt ASAP  2) they have recently moved and the formula co
haven't mailed them any samples.
In your questionnaire be sure to ask if anyone called them in the first 6
weeks, was the info given enc to keep bf, did anyone tell them the
importance to exclusive bf, did they have more than l phone call?
Would love to see your questionnaire, or even be willing to help critique
it, or give it a trial here in NH using my peer counselors.
Michelle Scott, RD,MA,IBCLC   in   NH   where is cool and beautiful, just
beginning to be fall-ish.

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From:   Mary Alice Tinari[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Wednesday, September 24, 1997 9:37 PM
Subject:        6 week follow-up data

Lactnetters,

I have been asked by my boss to gather continuous data about how many of
our moms are breastfeeding at 6 weeks.  Before I begin this project, I'd
like some suggestions about other follow up programs, including forms
used, schedule of calls, or anything else that might be helpful.  I
would like to make this a complete program, she is interested only in
the numbers.  Pretty typical.  I am trying to make lemonade out of this
request and would appreciate your help.

I am a part time LC at a 250 bed, 1500 deliveries/year, Catholic,
community hospital.  I have 20 hours per week to to this, but MAY be
able to get some help, if I have any luck.  Has anyone used volunteers
to do this data gathering?  My concern is what happens when a mom asks a
question, and the volunteer cannot answer it.  Our volunteers are older
ladies, retired, most of whom have not breastfed.

Thank you for your help.  Mary Alice in PA
Missing her oldest "baby" at Duke!