Author Description

The Breastfeeding Handbook for Physicians was envisioned as the complete and concise reference and teaching aid on breastfeeding and human lactation. Written primarily for physicians of all specialties, the handbook can also be a useful resource for all individuals involved with the care of mother and infant, including nurse practitioners, dieticians, and lactation specialists.This handbook represents the collaborative efforts of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), with additional critical review by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).Topics include the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and infant, the anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding, clinical management before and after conception, and maintenance and support of breastfeeding, as well as lactation support technology and the issues of medication and contraception in relation to breastfeeding.This second edition features expanded or new chapters on the unique benefits of breastmilk for the premature infant, breastfeeding during a disaster, and the breastfeeding friendly office practice, as well as recently revised and published AAP/ACOG policies. Also, there have been many recent national initiatives concerning breastfeeding all of which have been addressed in this edition, including the 2011 Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, updated Healthy People 2020 targets for breastfeeding, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Business Case for Breastfeeding, and the provisions of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which promote and support breastfeeding.