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Home › Articles › Breastfeeding Advocacy › A Stronger Stance

A Stronger Stance

Updated Recommendations Encourage Breastfeeding

By Amy Carey Bowman

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Though the importance of breast milk to babies' development and well-being is well documented, breastfeeding isn't always as supported as breastfeeding advocates would like. What breastfeeding mother hasn't been asked, "Isn't it time to wean?" or "Why don't you just give him a bottle?" Some moms struggle with advice to supplement with formula or to start adding solids to Baby's diet as early as 2 months of age (to help him "sleep through the night").

Adding to the struggle, finding a pediatrician supportive of breastfeeding is hit or miss for some moms. Depending on the doctor who sees your baby, you might be told that there is no benefit to nursing after 6 months of age or that nursing well into toddlerhood will somehow harm your baby psychologically. But this February, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new statement revising the recommendations they issued in 1997 to offer more support than ever before to breastfeeding mothers.

"[The new statement] reflects current research and the common knowledge of lactation professionals – as well as experienced moms – around the world," says Renee Beebe, M.Ed., a Seattle lactation consultant in private practice who founded The Second 9 Months to help moms breastfeed. "I am thrilled that the AAP has taken a much stronger stance in support of breastfeeding."

Encouraging the Norm
To the excitement of experts like Beebe, the AAP says it encourages health care professionals to "promote breastfeeding as a cultural norm and encourage family and societal support for breastfeeding." This is important to Lisa Robinson, a breastfeeding mother of two in Norwood, Pa. "I think our society would have more women breastfeeding if we didn't feel so shunned," she says.


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