It is not a linear or algebraic progression, it is logarithmic. Instead of increasing a certain percentage per year, or even 2 times more, then, three times more, then four... it goes 2, 4, 8, 16.... or even more dramatically.
Think of how new fashions and motifs (like sunflowers or angels) take
hold. First you see a few people, or a few instances. A year later,
you see a lot, and a year after that, you see it everywhere. More
analogously, look at the food fads that come and go.
Our job is to ensure that this is not just a passing fashion, which will
reach a peak, then drop off and stabilize at some low level (if not
totally disappear -- like BF did since the 70's). Our job is to educate
to the extent that this time around it is not just individuals thinking this
is a more natural way, but individuals, health care providers and
governments becoming aware of the long-term benefits to all
concerned, and making it a permanent way of life (like immunizations
and seat belts.)
Sincerely, Chanita
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From: Jan Barger RN, MA, IBCLC[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, November 07, 1997 2:48 PM
Subject: breastfeeding rates
Sue wrote,
<< I must have missed the new Ross stats (if they have been published) but am
delighted to learn that the overall initiation rate is now at 70%. We ARE
making a difference. yea.
>>
That's incredible -- if it is true. And if it is true (and I haven't seen
published stats either, so I have no real reason to believe it isn't), that
means the rates have gone, in one year, from 59.7% in 1995, to over 70% by
the end of 1996? In ONE year? It took from 1991 (51%) to 1995 to get up to
59.7 - %. Four years to go 8 percentage points. I'm incredulous that it
would go up over 10 percentage points in one year...generally Ross publishes
their stats for the previous year around June of the year following (so the
latest stats published would be for the end of 1996).
Does anyone have the stats from Ross? The last I saw them when Pat Bull
published them here on lactnet was that the bf rates for NON-WIC moms was
over 70%, but putting all moms together around the country, it brought it
down to the 59%.
Jan Barger who isn't home so doesn't have the Tribune article, but is hoping
her husband is savvy enough to SAVE it for her....
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