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AAP Policy on Breastfeeding and Use of Human Milk

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Health Professionals Resource Guide

Section on Breastfeeding

Health Professionals Resource Guide

This Resource Guide will direct you towards Web sites and publications for health professionals about breastfeeding. You will find:

Breastfeeding Policies
Everyday Resources for the Office or Hospital
Breastfeeding Education for Health Professionals
Current Research
Breastfeeding Organizations and Journals
Resources To Support Breastfeeding Families

Breastfeeding Policies

AAP Policies

• An Evidence-Based Review of Important Issues Concerning Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, AAP Technical Report 2004
  A technical report about the evidence related to the management of hyperbilirubinemia.
• Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, AAP Policy Statement 2005
  The complete AAP policy statement on breastfeeding and use of human milk.
• Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Newborn Infant 35 or More Weeks of Gestation Clinical Practice Guideline, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004
  A clinical guideline on the management of hyperbilirubinemia in the term infant.
• Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, AAP Clinical Report, 2008
  A clinical report regarding the need for vitamin D supplementation for infants and children.

Policies from Other Organizations

• Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries
  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality published this review of all of the evidence pertaining to the impact of breastfeeding on infant and maternal health.
• Breastfeeding Policy Statement, American Academy of Family Physicians, 2007
  A short statement identifying the American Academy of Family Physicians' stance on breastfeeding.
• Breastfeeding Position Paper, American Academy of Family Physicians, 2008
  A paper explaining the American Academy of Family Physicians' stance on breastfeeding.
• HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding — Developed by HHS.
  This blueprint identifies a plan for the US to implement to increase its breastfeeding rates.
• Special Report from ACOG, Breastfeeding: Maternal and Infant Aspects, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2007
  A paper explaining the opinion of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding breastfeeding.
• The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, Baby-Friendly USA
  This Web site explains the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative's Ten Steps to creating a Baby Friendly hospital.

Everyday Resources for the Office or Hospital

• AAP Endorsement of the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
  The AAP has endorsed these steps to encourage the optimal care for mothers and their infants in maternity care facilities.
• BiliTool
  BiliTool is designed to help clinicians assess the risks toward the development of
  hyperbilirubinemia or "jaundice" in newborns.
• Breastfeeding and Lactation: The Pediatrician's Guide to Coding
  This coding document was designed to help you get paid for your breastfeeding and lactation support.
• Clinical Protocols, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, various publication dates
  Breastfeeding protocols, developed by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, that are useful when creating protocols for a hospital or practice.
• How To Have A Breastfeeding Friendly Practice
  As the breastfeeding rates in the US increase, there is now, more than ever, a need for health professionals who are able to care for and support breastfeeding families in their practice. This guideline provides you with suggestions on how to have a breastfeeding friendly practice.
• National Library of Medicine Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
  This online database, provided by the National Library of Medicine, is a quick reference for anyone looking for information on medications for the lactating mother. It is helpful for physicians in making decisions pertaining to medication use.
• Safe and Healthy Beginnings Toolkit
  The AAP has developed and tested a variety of tools to help you to make sure that infants in your practice or hospital get off to the best start in life. The tools specifically relate to hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice prevention and treatment and breastfeeding support.
• Sample Hospital Breastfeeding Policy for Newborns
  Many hospitals have practices that are detrimental to breastfeeding including the routine use of formula supplementation and free samples, pacifier use, and the separation of mother and infant. The AAP Section on Breastfeeding and the Section on Perinatal Pediatrics has written a sample breastfeeding hospital policy that outlines the policies and procedures that hospitals should take to support breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Education for Health Professionals

Text Books

• Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession
  This authoritative textbook contains evidence-based information on all of the scientific and clinical topics related to breastfeeding — from basic data on the anatomical, physiological, biochemical, nutritional, immunological, and psychological aspects of human lactation to guidance on a full range of problems in clinical management.
• Breastfeeding Handbook for Physicians
  This handbook, authored by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, provides physicians in all specialties with a concise reference on breastfeeding and human lactation.

Speaker's Kit

• Breastfeeding Support and Promotion Speaker's Kit, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding, 2005
  The Breastfeeding Support and Promotion Speaker's Kit was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Section on Breastfeeding to be used as a tool for education on the topic of breastfeeding. With detailed speaker's notes, this presentation is easily presented by a wide range of professionals. We encourage its use to educate pediatricians, physicians, public health workers, nurses, hospital, clinic, or private practice staff, dentists, and anyone who has a role in breastfeeding support and promotion. Due to the size of this speaker's kit, users are asked to download the presentation in sections. Once you have downloaded the file, to see the speaker's notes you must either print out the notes pages or click on Edit, Edit Slides, in the bar at the top of your screen. Once you are within PowerPoint, ensure that you are looking at the Normal View by clicking on View, Normal, in the bar at the top of your screen. The speaker's notes will be displayed below the slide. All inquiries regarding the kit may be directed to lactation@aap.org.
  
  • Section 1 — Introduction and Overview (6.48 MB)
  • Section 2 — The Benefits of Breastfeeding (10.2 MB)
  • Section 3 — The Process of Breastfeeding and Lactation (9.25 MB)
  • Section 4 — Maternal and Infant Assessment (2.91 MB)
  • Section 5 — Evaluating and Managing Breastfeeding (3.29 MB)
  • Section 6 — Promoting Breastfeeding and Summary (2.17 MB)
  
  
  This kit was made available by a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women's Health, Reference Number 03T030012. The information in this publication does not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.
  
  Copyright © 2003, Rev 2005 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced, except for noncommercial purposes (such as for educational purposes), stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Produced in the United States of America. Any organization or individual intending to make commercial use of any of the copyrighted information must obtain separate permission from all copyright holders other than the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Online

• PediaLink Hot Topics Course: Babies Were Born to be Breastfed
  This AAP PediaLink Hot Topics course will help you recognize the importance of breastfeeding as a national public health issue. The content and resources provided in this course should help you feel comfortable assessing breastfeeding.
• AAP Grand Rounds Subspecialty Collection
  A collection of breastfeeding-specific articles published in AAP Grand Rounds.
• Breastfeeding Basics
  This is a short online course on the fundamentals of breastfeeding.
• MedlinePlus Breastfeeding
  MedlinePlus provides general scientific information about breastfeeding on this Web site.

Live Conferences

• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Annual International Meeting
  The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine hosts an annual international meeting about breastfeeding. They offer a day of education for the physician new to breastfeeding science as well as a track for experienced physicians and the health team.
• American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition
  The AAP NCE is a national meeting of pediatricians on a variety of pediatric topics. The AAP Section on Breastfeeding sponsors a full day of breastfeeding education during this meeting, as well as sessions during the general conference.
• La Leche League Physicians Seminar
  La Leche League International provides a seminar to help to educate physicians about breastfeeding.
• The Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting
  The Pediatric Academic Society has sessions on the latest breastfeeding research for pediatricians and neonatologists. The AAP is a sponsor of this meeting.

Current Research

• Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries
  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality published this review of all of the evidence pertaining to the impact of breastfeeding on infant and maternal health.
• Breastfeeding Report Card
  The CDC publishes this card to report on state outcome and process indicators related to breastfeeding.
• National Immunization Survey — Breastfeeding Rates
  The CDC administered National Immunization Survey includes questions pertaining to duration of breastfeeding. This Web site details the results of this survey on an annual basis.

Breastfeeding Organizations and Journals

Membership Organizations

• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
  An international breastfeeding medicine organization for all physicians.
• AAP Section on Perinatal Pediatrics
  A new site with up-to-date neonatal-perinatal information specifically geared toward the neonatologist, the trainee, the pediatrician and families of premature babies.
• American Academy of Family Physicians
  The membership organization for family physicians.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  The membership organization for obstetricians and gynecologists.

Governmental Agencies

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  The CDC is 1 of the main governmental agencies implementing and overseeing many breastfeeding support and promotion programs.
• Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau
  HRSAs MCHB is 1 of the main governmental agencies implementing and overseeing many breastfeeding support and promotion programs, including some programs at the AAP.
• Office on Women's Health
  The Office on Women's Health is 1 of the main governmental agencies implementing and overseeing many breastfeeding support and promotion programs. This Web site provides breastfeeding basics, common concerns, and trusted breastfeeding resources for mothers.
• United States Breastfeeding Committee
  The USBC is appointed by the federal government and is composed of all of the national breastfeeding advocacy organizations. The USBC specializes in advocacy projects and in coordinating the state breastfeeding coalitions.
• United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service WIC Breastfeeding Program
  This Web site provides information about the WIC program and the breastfeeding services that WIC provides including contact information for WIC state breastfeeding coordinators and details about the Loving Support Peer Counselor Program.
• World Health Organization
  The WHO works within the United Nations to address the health needs of families all over the world. The WHO has many breastfeeding specific resources for health professionals.

Non-profit Organizations

• Human Milk Banking Association of North America
  This association sets standards for human milk banking in North America. This Web site provides information about donated milk, including how to donate and locations of milk banks.
• La Leche League International
  La Leche League International is an organization dedicated to supporting and educating mothers about breastfeeding. This Web site provides information about breastfeeding, local La Leche League groups, and many more resources for mothers and health professionals.
• Wellstart International
  Wellstart International provides breastfeeding education to health professionals regarding the promotion, protection, and support of optimal infant and maternal health and nutrition from conception through the completion of weaning.

Breastfeeding Relevant Journals

• Breastfeeding Medicine
  The official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, published by Mary Ann Liebert Publishers Inc., includes articles specific to breastfeeding medicine.
• Journal of Human Lactation
  This journal reports on every aspect of human lactation from breastfeeding to the use of donor milk.
• Pediatrics, AAP Journal
  The journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Breastfeeding related articles are often included.

Resources To Support Breastfeeding Families

AAP Resources To Support Families

• AAP Bookstore
  AAP publications listed on this Web site as well as many others related to breastfeeding care and other topics are available through the AAP Bookstore.
• An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding
  This popular pamphlet for mothers provides the basics of breastfeeding for your patients. It is available in many different versions and languages including a guide for African American women, American Indian and Alaska Native women, and versions in Spanish and Chinese.
• Breastfeeding Your Baby: Answers to Common Questions
  This pamphlet provides a brief overview of common breastfeeding questions.
• New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding (English)
  A basic breastfeeding 101 book for mothers. It is a good overview of the experience of breastfeeding from initiation to weaning for parents. Available in Spanish.
• Nueva Guia De Lactancia Materna
  This is the Spanish version of the New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding, a basic breastfeeding 101 book for mothers. It is a good overview of the experience of breastfeeding from initiation to weaning for parents.
• Safe and Healthy Beginnings Toolkit
  The AAP has developed and tested a variety of tools to help you to make sure that infants in your practice or hospital get off to the best start in life. The tools specifically relate to hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice prevention and treatment and breastfeeding support.

Resources for General Breastfeeding Questions from Families

There are many organizations that provide excellent information when your families have general breastfeeding questions.

• Breastfeeding — Best for Baby, Best for Mom
  This comprehensive Web site from the Office on Women's Health offers breastfeeding information and a breastfeeding helpline.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Breastfeeding Pages
  The CDC has basic information about breastfeeding including the safety of vaccinating pregnant women, traveling and breastfeeding, and other helpful information about breastfeeding and disease prevention.
• International Lactation Consultant Association
  Visit this site to find local International Board Certified Lactation Consultants by zip code. Be sure to have a name and number of a lactation consultant on hand before you have your baby. Also, ask your obstetrician and pediatrician about lactation support in their office.
• La Leche League International
  La Leche League International offers many resources for families including breastfeeding help, breastfeeding laws, breastfeeding publications, links to local LLL leaders and groups, and more.

Infant and Family Support During Emergencies and Disasters

Health Professionals need to be prepared to support breastfeeding families during an emergency or disaster.

• Infant Feeding During a Disaster: Breastfeeding and Other Options
  This AAP fact sheet will help you to understand the issues of breastfeeding during a disaster and assist the families for which you care.
• Infant Feeding in Emergencies and Natural Disasters Presentation
  This presentation, developed by Diana Bienvenu, MD, FAAP, Louisiana Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinator, describes the experience of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the steps pediatricians can take to ensure safe infant feeding during a disaster.