This is a response to an invitation to explain the name "Academy of
Breastfeeding Medicine" which has the abbreviation ABM. At the founding
meeting of this organization at Stanford last August, attended by Anne
Eglash, Larry Gartner, Ruth Lawrence, Audrey Naylor, Marianne Neifert,
Chris Wade, and myself, an important agenda item was choosing a name.
Quoting from my article on the genesis of ABM in the first issue of ABM
News and Views, our newsletter:  "There was concesus that the new name
should include 'Breastfeeding' as well as a term that clearly identified
it as a physician's organization. Sheets and sheets of paper were turned
over as we sought the perfect combination of words. Finally, we had it.
We wrote 'The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine' in large letters on a
clean sheet of paper and taped it to the conference room door. The next
day we all agreed that it was a 'keeper.'" I am still happy with the
name, despite ABM being an abbreviation for artificial baby milk as well.
I think it is generally pretty clear from the context whether reference
is being made to the organization or the beverage!

I am signing off LactNet today, as I am moving to Atlanta in a few days.
Elizabeth Williams, MD, MPH
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