Anno: 2012

Fonte: American Academy of Pediatrics

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.

Fonte: pediatrics.aappublications.org

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