Let’s acknowledge that there are some outstanding pediatricians out there. Anyone who manages baby messes, unusual rashes, panicked new parents, and noisy toddlers deserves recognition. Pediatricians play a crucial role in saving lives, work tirelessly, and often carry the burden of student loans from medical school, all while dedicating themselves to the health and well-being of future generations.
However, as a mother who has breastfed two children and as a lactation consultant who has guided numerous new moms, I can confidently say that many pediatricians still have room for improvement in their support for breastfeeding mothers. For instance, during my first visit with my newborn son, I was incorrectly advised to consume a quart of cow’s milk daily to boost my milk supply (which is simply not true!). Despite my son losing a normal amount of weight for his age, the pediatrician immediately suggested formula supplementation. Overwhelmed and emotional, I knew I needed a new pediatrician who would better support my breastfeeding goals—luckily, we found one, and my son thrived once my milk came in.
I’ve heard even more troubling stories from other mothers. Some pediatricians have told mothers they should stop breastfeeding while on certain medications that are actually safe for breastfeeding, while others have suggested weaning during pregnancy, which is rarely necessary. There have even been instances where office staff openly criticized mothers nursing in the waiting room.
It’s not that these pediatricians lack concern for breastfeeding; often, they simply haven’t received adequate training on the subject. Some friends in the medical field have mentioned that many physicians only get about an hour of breastfeeding education in medical school, if any at all. Others may not prioritize supporting breastfeeding in their practice, or they might harbor personal biases against breastfeeding.
Recognizing this issue, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently released new guidelines aimed at helping pediatricians support breastfeeding families. Published in their journal, Pediatrics, these guidelines highlight the importance of pediatricians in promoting breastfeeding as a public health matter and lay out 19 actionable items for practices to become more “breastfeeding friendly.”
The AAP stresses that improving the nation’s breastfeeding rates is crucial. While new mothers often receive initial breastfeeding support in the hospital, pediatricians are typically the healthcare providers mothers consult most frequently afterward. Therefore, it’s essential for pediatricians and their offices to be equipped with the knowledge and resources to support breastfeeding mothers effectively.
A 2004 survey cited by the AAP revealed that many pediatricians doubted whether the benefits of breastfeeding outweighed its challenges and were less confident that most mothers could successfully breastfeed. While not all pediatricians share this viewpoint, it is a significant issue that many mothers face, making the AAP’s response commendable.
The AAP’s proposed action plan includes encouraging all pediatric offices to employ a lactation consultant, providing staff training on breastfeeding basics, creating welcoming waiting areas for breastfeeding moms, limiting formula recommendations unless medically necessary, and assisting mothers in balancing breastfeeding and pumping as they transition back to work. For a deeper dive into these guidelines, visit the article in Pediatrics.
Of course, it’s important to acknowledge that not all mothers choose to breastfeed or may decide to wean earlier than the AAP recommends, which advocates for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for a year or more, depending on the mutual desires of mother and child. No mother should feel pressured to breastfeed if she doesn’t want to, and formula can certainly be a viable alternative in these cases.
For mothers who have felt unsupported in their breastfeeding journey, these new guidelines are a significant step in the right direction. While it remains to be seen whether pediatricians will readily adopt these recommendations, the fact that a leading medical organization is advocating for breastfeeding support is certainly a reason to celebrate.
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Summary
The AAP has released new guidelines to help pediatricians better support breastfeeding mothers, emphasizing the need for improved training and resources within pediatric practices. This initiative aims to address the challenges many mothers face in their breastfeeding journey, ultimately fostering a more supportive environment for breastfeeding families.