Hi everyone,
Here's the section called, Who Cares About Breastfeeding? from "Breastfeeding
at a Glance: Facts, Figures and Trivia" about Lactation, Dia L. Michels
(that's me!), Cynthia Good Mojab, MS and Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam, Ph.D.,
Platypus
Media, LLC, Washington, DC, 2001, ISBN: 1-930775-05-9. URL:
<A HREF="www.PlatypusMedia.com">www.PlatypusMedia.com</A>.
Who Cares About Breastfeeding?
Health professionals and organizations all over the world are working to
protect, support and promote breastfeeding. Here's a small sample of what
they have to say...
The American Academy of Pediatrics
In a groundbreaking policy statement written by eleven of America's top
breastfeeding experts, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that:
* Breastmilk is the food of choice for all infants regardless of their
gestational age or health-with rare exceptions.
* Babies should receive breastmilk as soon after birth as
possible-preferably within the first hour. Newborn and mother should remain
together throughout the recovery period and the entire hospital stay
(rooming in).
* Any procedures that may interfere with breastfeeding or traumatize
the infant should be postponed or minimized.
* Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger, such
as increased alertness or activity, mouthing and rooting. Crying is a late
indicator that a baby is hungry.
* No supplement-including water, glucose water and infant
formula-should be given to breastfeeding newborns-except in the rare event
that it is medically necessary. For about the first six months, breastfed
babies generally need nothing but breastmilk: no water, juice, vitamins,
iron or fluoride.
* Hospital discharge packs containing free infant formula should be
eliminated.
* Mothers should continue to breastfeed for at least one year, while
providing complementary foods after six months.
AAP. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk (RE9729). Pediatrics 1997;
100(6), 1035-1039. Online at: <A HREF="www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html">www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html</A>.
UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO and UNFPA
UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO and UNFPA acknowledge breastfeeding as critical to
infant and child health. In Facts for Life they recommend breastmilk as the
only food and drink a baby needs from birth to about six months of age.
After that additional foods are recommended but breastmilk remains an
important source of energy, protein and other nutrients, such as vitamin A.
During the second year of life, they urge continued breastfeeding for
protection and recovery from illness as babies learn to crawl, walk and
play-as well as for comfort whenever a child is frightened, hurt, angry or
tearful. Breastfeeding should continue well into the second year of a
child's life-and for longer if possible.
Adamson, P., Facts for Life: a Communication Challenge. Oxfordshire, UK:
P&LA, 1993. Online at: www.unicef.org/ffl.
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates
and Practitioners
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners
(NAPNAP) identifies breastfeeding and human milk as superior to any
artificial feeding method. It recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about
six months with continued breastfeeding through the first year and beyond.
NAPNAP urges pediatric nurse practitioners to provide families with accurate
information on the benefits of breastfeeding, support breastfeeding efforts
of patients, eliminate barriers to breastfeeding and engage in continuing
education in lactation and breastfeeding.
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners.
Position Statement on Breastfeeding, 2001. Online at:
<A HREF="www.napnap.org/breastfeeding.html">www.napnap.org/breastfeeding.html</A>.
The American Academy of Family Physicians
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) strongly encourages its
members to acquire and maintain practical and scientific breastfeeding
knowledge so that they can provide sound guidance to mothers and families.
It acknowledges that human milk is the optimal form of nutrition for infants
except in rare circumstances. The AAFP urges family physicians to become
aware of societal and institutional barriers to breastfeeding and to provide
patients, hospitals and communities with the up-to-date information and
support that is needed to promote breastfeeding.
American Academy of Family Physicians, Breastfeeding and infant nutrition.
AAFP Policies on Health Issues, 1994. Online at:
<A HREF="www.aafp.org/policy/issues/i3.html">www.aafp.org/policy/issues/i3.html</A>.
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