The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released their long awaited paper on breastfeeding, entitled: "Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk." Their guidelines remain firmly in the pro-breastfeeding category, recommending that babies are exclusively breastfeed for about 6 months and continue to breastfeed for at least a year and as long after a year as is mutually desired by the mom and baby. They go on to talk about not only the health benefits of breastfeeding, like a third fewer babies dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) to a drastic reduction in the number of obese adolescents and adults; but they also talk about the health risks of not breastfeeding.
One of the parts that I think is crucial is the fact that they really seem to emphasize that women need help from all sorts of areas in their life, from their pediatrician, to their families, and even the employers. I really like the fact that they give some specific tools to help in these areas, but not everyone is prepared to help, including many pediatricians. One pediatrician that I spoke told me that all of her breastfeeding knowledge came from nursing her own child. She said that in medical school, the one lecture they had on breastfeeding was at a lunch sponsored by a company who makes artificial breast milk (formula).
The AAP has the new guidelines available on their parents' website as well. And, beginning March 8th, you can register to get a free copy of "New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding," while supplies last.
What do you wish your pediatrician knew about breastfeeding or had told you about breastfeeding?
Related:
Source:
Section on Breastfeeding. (2012). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-3552
Photo © Maxim Tupikov - Fotolia.com
AAP Says Breastfeeding is Normal originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 at 09:59:58.
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