Hello everyone-

 I haven't posted much since the Lactnet T-shirts sales concluded, so
 first I'll re-introduce myself for newcomers. I'm Diana Dietz RN, BSN and
 BFA (breastfeeding advocate). I live in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, USA
 and have worked in a county health department for many years. I've seen
 tremendous positive changes re: breastfeeding promotion within the health
 department (due to WIC mandates,) but of course those changes haven't
 been fast enough or broad enough for most of us BFA's. To help promote
 and support breastfeeding, I started designing promotional products that
 some of you are familiar with. I'm currently on a Georgia AAP
 breastfeeding committee that is working to produce a breastfeeding
 resource guide for the state. Now to the reason for this post:

 Several lactnetters have been inquiring about breastfeeding rates. I
 researched rates in the U.S.A. a couple years ago and compiled statistics
 ranging from 1980-1993. I have a copy of Ross' publication "Updated
 Breastfeeding Trend 1986-1994. Another excellent resource is the
 U.S. Government (GAO) report "Breastfeeding, WIC's Efforts to Promote
 Breastfeeding Have Increased." (Pub. #GAO/HRD-94-13.) U.S. citizens can
 obtain a FREE copy of the report by calling #202-512-6000, faxing #301-
 258-4066 OR requesting the document via web site http://www.gao.gov.
 You can also view the entire report online at the web site. The report
 includes a variety of breastfeeding rates broken down by state, in
 addition to WIC vs. ALL mothers; it includes rates from 1982 and 1993.
 Also mentioned are some statistics re: the ethnicity of specific WIC
 programs. Cindy, you might be able to obtain information on breastfeeding
 rates among different ethnic groups by contacting the National
 Association of WIC Directors (NAWD) Breastfeeding Promotion Committee. I
 don't have the phone number but I'm sure someone on this list does.

 I'm happy to share the info. I've compiled with anyone who needs it.

 TTFN,
 Diana Dietz, RN, BSN
 Diana Designs - designs that celebrate mothers and breastfeeding
 http://www.prairienet.org/community/health/laleche/diana.html