Advocate for Breastfeeding (American Academy of Family Physicians)

Breastfeeding is a personal decision for pregnant women and new mothers. You play an important role in educating these patients on breastfeeding benefits, removing breastfeeding barriers, and identifying resources to support them. Studies have shown that a physician’s recommendation increases breastfeeding initiation and duration rates.

The AAFP recommends that all babies, with rare exceptions, be breastfed and/or receive expressed human milk exclusively for the first six months of life. According to the AAFP Breastfeeding Policy, breastfeeding should continue with the addition of complementary foods throughout the second half of the first year. Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child and should continue as long as mutually desired.