Nikki says,
 

<<The CDC is a survey of a representative sample of women across  the country,
and is a true collection of statistics. Folks are called at  home and asked
questions. The numbers for breastfeeding are not quite a  straight line,
there is a very slight upward slope over the past 5 years.  However,
exclusive bf rates have dropped over the past few  years>>
 
However, gathering statistics from 424 women out of approximately 8 million  
that have given birth over a two year period of time -- is that a true  
representative sampling, even if they have queried all groups?  I don't  know how 
you can get a P value out of that -- but then statistics isn't my forte  -- I'll 
be first to admit that.  It's a sampling of 0.000053%.  Ross'  is a sampling 
of 0.0625%.  
 
And, if it stands to reason that Ross would benefit by having inflated  
statistics, why is it that their numbers (be they from a marketing perspective  or 
whatever) show breastfeeding rates DECLINING where as the CDC shows them  
increasing.  There is a huge difference between 64% and 77% initiation  rate.  
While it is very satisfying to think that we have reached the  Healthy People 
2010 goal of 75% initiating bf, I'm not convinced we really have,  because I am 
having a hard time reconciling the CDC data.
 
Sam, you probably have seen this, but the CDC report, including the number  
of mothers interviewed over the last years is at 
_www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db05.htm_ (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db05.htm)   . You can 
click on collection methods to see how many women were included.
 
Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, FILCA
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