In response to the question about national breastfeeding rates: There is a summary of breastfeeding rate trends in the Book "Nutrition During Lactation," (Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, 1991) The only organization collecting National breastfeeding rates that I know of is Ross Laboratories. They will often provide information by State (and even region within a state). According to the Ross data US breastfeeding rates were 57.4% in hospital, 21.3% at 5 -6 months of age in 1994. (Sample size 283,179). Mary Johnson Mary Johnson Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 08:29:01 -0600 From: Susan Horein <[log in to unmask]> Subject: statistics on bf rates I am an LLL Leader in Madison Wisconsin. I also occasionally respond to email questions about breastfeeding that are posted to the "LLLI Help Form" on the wwweb. Here is one I'd appreciate help with, as my resources as a volunteer are limited (it seems like a simple request, but I haven't been successful in finding an answer for her): >Having breastfed three babies, I am both personally and >professionally interested in promoting breastfeeding to college students >througth my women's health class. Can anyone help me access statistics >regarding the % of American women who breastfeed their babies? I am >interested also in state by state data if it is available. Any help would >be appreciated. Would appreciate responses to [log in to unmask] (as well as posting if it's relevant to all). Thanks to all just for being here!!! Susan Horein, [log in to unmask] Mary Johnson WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Minnesota WIC Program Minnesota Department of Health 717 Delaware Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55440-9441 Phone: 612-623-5400 FAX: 612-623-5445 internet: [log in to unmask]