"Epidemiologic research shows that human milk and breastfeeding of infants provides advantages with regards to general health, growth, and development, while significantly decreasing risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases. Research in the US, Canada, Europe, and other developing countries, among predominantly middle-class populations, provides strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and/ or severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection, otitis media, bacteremia, bacterial meningitis, botulism, urinary tract infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis. There are a number of studies that show a possible protective effect of human milk feeding against SIDS, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, lymphoma, allergic diseases, and other chronic digestive diseases. Breastfeeding has also been related to possible enhancement of cognitive development."

"As more information on the benefits of breastfeeding continues to emerge, it is important for pediatricians to be well-versed in the science and management of breastfeeding. To help pediatricians integrate this information into their daily work, the AAP has developed the Breastfeeding Promotion in Pediatric Office Practices Program. The program will provide pediatricians with the latest scientific information on breastfeeding and its management, promotional materials, and strategies for increasing breastfeeding rates in their practices."

You can find information about this program at: American Academy of Pediatrics

This program is FREE -- all you need to do is fill out an application and the AAP will do the rest. This program is highly recommended for all pediatricians. Breastfeeding is the best preventive medicine there is, and you are in a unique position to bring breastfeeding rates up. Please call or write the AAP for a free application today!

We also offer a program for pediatricians. Upon joining the program, you will receive your own copy of the resource book, "Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession". This book provides medical professionals with up-to-date information on breastfeeding, its management, drugs in human milk, and much more; and will help you to help mothers.

You will also receive promotional materials for your office to encourage mothers to begin and continue to breastfeed their babies.

American Breastfeeding Coalition publishes a Directory for Families which lists breastfeeding-friendly businesses, health care, hospitals, and other sources in their own community. By joining and implementing our program, you will receive a free listing in our directory.

We will keep you informed of all of the new advances in biochemical, nutritional, and immunological aspects of human lactation, as well as any new information on managing breastfeeding problems and special situations. We do this in a bi-monthly newsletter, "The Medical Profession and Human Milk".

For more information on joining our program, or to check the status of our program in your community, E-MAIL us today!