From its inception, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been a staunch advocate of breastfeeding as the optimal form of nutrition for infants. Although economic, cultural, and political pressures often confound decisions about infant feeding, the AAP firmly adheres to the position that breastfeeding ensures the best possible health as well as developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant. Enthusiastic support and involvement of pediatricians in the promotion and practice of breastfeeding is essential to the achievement of optimal infant and child health, growth, and development. Breastfeeding promotion at the AAP maintains high standards to maximize efforts to promote, support, and manage breastfeeding.

The Business Case for Breastfeeding - The Health Resources and Services Adminstration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau has released a toolkit to help advocates to educate businesses about the benefits of supporting their employees to breastfeed. Call 1-888-275-4772 to obtain a copy of the kit or visit http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/ to search for the several pieces of the kit and order online.

Breastfeeding and Lactation: The Pediatrician's Guide to Coding - REVISED 2008! The Section on Breastfeeding has recently revised its coding document to help you get paid for your breastfeeding and lactation support. This tool is a great resource to have in your practice. To view the coding document click here. This document has been reviewed and approved by the AAP Committee on Coding and Nomenclature.

Write to Your Representative to Support H.R. 2236 - Breastfeeding Promotion Act! - AAP Members can visit this page to easily send a letter to your representative. (Members Only Channel Login needed)

MyPyramid for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding - The United States Department of Agriculture has recently released a new tool for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Visit the site to see what nutrition is necessary during this special time.

CDC Breastfeeding Report Card - Check out where your state rates in breastfeeding success and support.

Breastfeeding Promotion in Physicians’ Office Practices (BPPOP III) Program - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been awarded a 3-year grant to work in partnership with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), maternal and pediatric health professionals and residency programs, public health representatives, and breastfeeding support personnel who work with underserved families to strengthen and expand the successful AAP/MCHB Breastfeeding Promotion in Physicians' Office Practices (BPPOP III) program toward Healthy People 2010 goals.

Development of a Breastfeeding Residency Curriculum - As a directive of the BPPOP III Program a subcommittee is developing a breastfeeding residency curriculum. Once completed this curriculum will be pilot-tested at 7 sites. Click here to read the pre-implemetation data report.

Breastfeeding Promotion Teleconferences -
The BPPOP III Teleconference, “Breastfeeding Promotion Tailored to Meet the Needs of a Diverse Society”, was held on March 22, 2007. To access presentation materials and an audio recording of the call, click here.

The BPPOP III Teleconference, "Breastfeeding Basics: Generalist to Generalist" was held on August 31, 2006. To access presentation materials and an audio recording of the call, click here.

The Section on Breastfeeding is a group of 650 members that maintain a permanent body for the development of AAP policy recommendations on breastfeeding, enhance and expand educational efforts of the Academy in the area of breastfeeding, including the presentation of educational sessions at AAP national meetings, coordination of national Continuing Medical Education (CME) conferences, development of educational publications and curricula, provision of materials and technical assistance to practitioners, and other educational initiatives, and develop liaison and collaborative relationships with other sections and committees of the Academy and with outside organizations. To learn more about the Section and how to become a member click here.

Breastfeeding and Lactation: The Pediatrician's Guide to Coding. The Section on Breastfeeding developed this handy guide to help you to get paid for breastfeeding and lactation services.

Section on Breastfeeding Brochure - The Section on Breastfeeding is a group of 600 pediatricians interested in breastfeeding and the health of mothers and babies. For more information on how to join click on the link above.

A Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinator is an AAP Member who is appointed by their Chapter President to coordinate and encourage state and regional activities related to the support and promotion of breastfeeding. To learn more about Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinators, how to become one, and where to find your's, click here.

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