Hi folks,

I have been chasing down the rumor that the American Academy of Physicians was
going to increase in breastfeeding recommendation.  I thought you'd all be
interested in what I found out.  I spoke first to the press office who would
only tell me that there were reviewing their current policy, but that nothing
was official and nothing could be said until it was official and that wouldn't
be any time soon because it had to go through so many committees and then to the
Board.

Then I spoke with Dr. Lawrence Gardner, head of the Work Group on Breastfeeding.
He told me that their current policy was formulated in 1982 and hasn't changed
since although it comes up for review every three years.  On its last review, it
was recommended that the statement be revised.  The motivation for this, he told
me, was the volume of change that has occured in breastfeeding research.  Not
only are they issuing a new policy statement in the Fall (he wouldn't tell me
its exact content), they are also issuing a review of the literature on the
benefits of breastfeeding which will include over 100 references.  They will
also issue what is called a practice parameter, or a how-to book for doctors as
the AAP has realized that most doctors need some work in the implementation and
education arenas.

I put myself of the list of folks to recieve these documents when they are
issued.  Anyone else interested in getting on the list should call the AAP Press
Office at 847-228-5005.

- Dia