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Abstract
Breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition.
Given the documented short- and long-term medical and neurodevelopmental advantages
of breastfeeding, infant nutrition should be considered a public health issue and
not only a lifestyle choice. The American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its recommendation
of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding
as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year
or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant. Medical contraindications to breastfeeding
are rare. Infant growth should be monitored with the World Health Organization (WHO)
Growth Curve Standards to avoid mislabeling infants as underweight or failing to thrive.
Hospital routines to encourage and support the initiation and sustaining of exclusive
breastfeeding should be based on the American Academy of Pediatrics-endorsed WHO/UNICEF
"Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding." National strategies supported by the US Surgeon
General's Call to Action, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and The
Joint Commission are involved to facilitate breastfeeding practices in US hospitals
and communities. Pediatricians play a critical role in their practices and communities
as advocates of breastfeeding and thus should be knowledgeable about the health risks
of not breastfeeding, the economic benefits to society of breastfeeding, and the techniques
for managing and supporting the breastfeeding dyad. The "Business Case for Breastfeeding"
details how mothers can maintain lactation in the workplace and the benefits to employers
who facilitate this practice.