Jan - you ask about the differences in rates of bf and excl bf 
worldwide over the past 5 to 10 years.

I am away from home at the moment with intermittent web access at 
present, so linking is hard work, but you can find UK bf figures on 
the web, which show a clear increase in breastfeeding initiation over 
this period.

Incidence of breastfeeding has also increased - that is, mothers 
breastfeed for longer. However, I think I am correct in saying that 
there is more 'combined' feeding ie that mothers are continuing to bf 
for longer *as well as using formula*.

Our exclusive breastfeeding rates are proving harder to improve.

How has this happened? A multitude of reasons among which I would cite:

* improved maternity leave
* UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative
* government support for bf esp the impetus to get local health 
authorities to monitor and report breastfeeding rates,  and to name 
and shame the ones whose statistics collection is poor quality
* continued activity of the volunteer and advocacy organisations

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
-- 
http://www.heatherwelford.co.uk

http://heatherwelford.posterous.com

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