How can doctors and heath care providers support breastfeeding?
Your obstetric provider should discuss feeding options with you early in your pregnancy, so that you can make an informed choice. Your provider should let you know that breastfeeding is important for your health, as well as for your baby’s long term health. Your provider and your baby’s provider should not have formula advertising in her office, nor offer sign-up sheets for “baby-clubs” with free or discounted formula. Find out what she knows about breastfeeding, and what resources she will have to help you. If you have difficulty breastfeeding, your provider should promptly refer you to qualified help, rather than tell you to stop breastfeeding. If you need a medication, your provider should check an up-to-date safety profile on that medication, rather than simply telling you to stop breastfeeding. Your provider should have access to Thomas Hale’s book, Medication and Mothers’ Milk, and to the AAP list of medications, available at www.aap.org/policy/0063.html. Your baby’s health care
