Decline in breast-feeding?

To the Editor.— The study "Recent Declines in Breast-Feeding in the United States, 1984-1989" by Ryan et al1 recently was brought to our attention because it reports a negative statistical association between participation in the United States Department of Agriculture's Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the initiation and duration of breast-feeding. WIC staff at all levels have been working actively to promote breast-feeding in the Program2-4 for many years, and they certainly would be concerned about a negative impact of the Program on breast-feeding.