Several Lactnetters have been looking for the Kaiser data on cost savings of breastfeeding to an HMO. This is not a published study. It was done by a lactation consultant at Kaiser in North Carolina as part of preliminary data for establishing a lactation consultant position and a breastfeeding support program. She has given me permission to use this data when I lecture on the costs of artificial feeding. I have condensed it down to a one page handout of the calculations she used. It is a real eye opener! I would be happy to send people a copy of my version if you send me a self addressed, stamped, business size envelope. This is the type of data that is so useful in our work to promote breastfeeding. It may also help counter a growing trend of the formula companies which NABA has discovered to be the next wave in formula promotion. A formula company is now becoming partners with several incurance carriers. It enrolls prenatal members of the insurance carrier into a formula club, sends cases of formula prenatally, provides coupons and teddy bears to mothers. One insurance carrier even BUYS the gift pack of formula to give to its prenatal customers. Too bad these insurance carriers feel that the best way to feed babies will cost them and us so much more money. Lactnetters may wish to send this handout to their own insurance carriers and ask what they are doing to promote breastfeeding and bring down the cost of health insurance to their subscribers. If any of you are aware of insurance carriers who are partnering with formula companies in this manner, please let me know. Thanks Marsha Walker 254 Conant Rd Weston, MA 02193 617 893-3553 Fax 617 893-8608 e-mail: [log in to unmask]