>This is an interesting point, Winnie.  I would bet that you are correct - in
>research, the data would show that initial breastfeeding goal is directly
>correlated with duration of breastfeeding as well as inclination to work
>through challenges.
>
>Has anyone already done this research?
>
>Jennifer Davis


Well, I don't know that it would show this at all  - at least not consistently.
I wish it would.

But the figures we have in the UK show that the majority of women
wanted to go on breastfeeding for longer than they did....that they
planned to bf for X, and only managed Y.

In the table in our ONS stats that shows 'Reasons for stopping
breastfeeding by duration of breastfeeding' ,  the reason 'had
breastfed as long as intended' is given as a reason for stopping in
only a tiny percentage of cases in the first six months....it's only
after that age that mothers give this reason in any substantial
numbers.

When asked 'would you have liked to breastfeed for longer?'  the
majority of women say 'yes' , right up to  the category '4 months,
less than 6 months' when 48 per cent say it.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html