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b r e a s t f e e d i ng
34
JAN / FEB 2013
I
Healthcare Journal of New Orleans
It is widely accepted among
American healthcare professionals that
breastfeeding is the most natural and
healthy way to feed most infants. The
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),
arguably the most important U.S. or-
ganization for policy direction regard-
ing infants and children, recommends
“exclusive breastfeeding for about 6
months, followed by continued breast-
feeding as complementary foods are in-
troduced, with continuation of breast-
feeding for 1 year or longer as mutually
desired by mother and infant.” Breast-
feeding is associated with a plethora of
benefits for babies, including lowered
rates of respiratory tract infections, ear
breast
feeding
Dichotomy
n
By claudia s. copeland, PhD
Physician
promotion
battles
societal
acceptance
photo by Jose Torres-Tama
The