ROLE OF PEDIATRICIANS IN PROMOTING AND
PROTECTING BREASTFEEDING
To provide an optimal environment for breastfeeding,
pediatricians should follow these recommendations:
1. Promote and support breastfeeding enthusiastically.
In consideration of the extensive published
evidence for improved outcomes in breastfed infants
and their mothers, a strong position on
behalf of breastfeeding is justified.
2. Become knowledgeable and skilled in both the
physiology and the clinical management of
breastfeeding.
3. Work collaboratively with the obstetric community
to ensure that women receive adequate information
throughout the perinatal period to
make a fully informed decision about infant
feeding. Pediatricians should also use opportunities
to provide age-appropriate breastfeeding
education to children and adults.
4. Promote hospital policies and procedures that
facilitate breastfeeding. Electric breast pumpsand private lactation areas should be available to
all breastfeeding mothers in the hospital, both on
ambulatory and inpatient services. Pediatricians
are encouraged to work actively toward eliminating
hospital practices that discourage breastfeeding
(eg, infant formula discharge packs and
separation of mother and infant).
5. Become familiar with local breastfeeding resources
(eg, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children clinics,
lactation educators and consultants, lay support
groups, and breast pump rental stations) so that
patients can be referred appropriately.111 When
specialized breastfeeding services are used, pediatricians
need to clarify for patients their essential
role as the infant’s primary medical care
taker. Effective communication among the various
counselors who advise breastfeeding women
is essential.
6. Encourage routine insurance coverage for necessary
breastfeeding services and supplies, including
breast pump rental and the time required by
pediatricians and other licensed health care professionals
to assess and manage breastfeeding.
7. Promote breastfeeding as a normal part of daily
life, and encourage family and societal support
for breastfeeding.
8. Develop and maintain effective communications
and collaboration with other health care providers
to ensure optimal breastfeeding education,
support, and counsel for mother and infant.
9. Advise mothers to return to their physician for a
thorough breast examination when breastfeeding
is terminated.
10. Promote breastfeeding education as a routine
component of medical school and residency education.
11. Encourage the media to portray breastfeeding as
positive and the norm.
12. Encourage employers to provide appropriate facilities
and adequate time in the workplace for
breast-pumping.
CONCLUSION
Although economic, cultural, and political pressures
often confound decisions about infant feeding,
the AAP firmly adheres to the position that
breastfeeding ensures the best possible health as
well as the best developmental and psychosocial
outcomes for the infant. Enthusiastic support and
involvement of pediatricians in the promotion and
practice of breastfeeding is essential to the achievement
of optimal infant and child health, growth,
and development.