Does anyone have a feel for whether *in the US and other highly
industrialized countries* -- those mothers who breastfeed have more children
or less children than average.

If the current birth rate in the US is 1.8 per couple (less than replacement
levels), do the breastfeeding families have about that number, on average,
or more, or fewer?

My inclination is to say they have more -- but that may just be my own
experience within my own family (I have 3) and with my local circle of
friends and neighbors.  And if I was pressed to explain why that might be
the case, I guess I would say it is because families where the mothers
breastfeed are more likely to *enjoy* children and to see them as valuable
in their own right, and a joy to have around.  Nothing like vast sweeping
generalizations and stereotypes!

Kathy Dettwyler

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