Hello Netters,

Sorry, I  had to go no mail for awhile and will need to continue for a few
more weeks.  Too much to do and not enough hrs to finish it all in.  As the
saying goes "God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. 
Right now I am so far behind, I will never die."  
I had to get on lactnet today  to share all the good news with you all. 
The 1997 breastfeeding rates went up !!!!!!!!   1994 was 57.4%, 1995 was
59.7%, 1996 was 59.2% and 1997 (in hospital) was ....................
62.4%.  What was really exciting is that the 6 months BF % went from 1995 -
21.6%  and 1996 - 21.7%  to 1997 - 26%.  YAHHHH.   At 12 months the 1997
was 14.5%.  One step at a time, we are moving forward.  We all need to
continue to work together.   This year, Ross did a more accurate survey. 
Instead of the mothers having to recall at 6 months when they weaned the
baby,(some mothers would receive the survey when their babys were 6 months
old) the survey went out every month so it would be within that particular
month that they would have weaned.  WIC BF mothers, once again, really
helped out with the increase in rates.  Pat yourself on the back all of you
involved in WIC.  See you all next month at ILCA.
"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship" by Louisa
May Alkcott     We can all do it, if we all just hang in there.
Pat Bull, RN, IBCLC
The Breastfeeding Connection/Medela
Naperville, IL  (30 miles away from da Bulls)