The American Academy of Pediatrics has formally stated that human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is species-specific. All substitute feeding options differ markedly from it.

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Breastfeeding has many advantages for the mother and the infant. These include health, nutritional, immunological, developmental, psychological, social, economic and environmental benefits. Mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed for at least the first year of life and continuing as long as the mother and child enjoy and benefit from the experience.

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From the Staff of Growing With Baby... 
Breastfeeding is the most natural and perfect way to feed a baby. Mother’s milk provides everything a baby needs to grow and stay healthy. When you choose to breastfeed, you are giving your baby the best possible start in life. Years of research have proven that breastfed babies grow better, are healthier throughout their lifetime, do better in school, are more content, and have less chance of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

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Although breastfeeding is natural, it is something that most women will have to learn. In the past, young girls and women learned to breastfeed by watching older women feed their babies. One generation of mothers taught the next. In many parts of the world this is still true, but it is not true in western society where for many years it has been more acceptable to formula feed than to breastfeed. Because of this, many young women have grown-up without the opportunity to learn by watching. Instead, women have come to rely on classes, videos, books and health professionals in order to learn.

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Most women are surprised when they discover that breastfeeding is something they must learn to do. Many have the expectation that because it is natural, it will be simple, but breastfeeding only becomes simple with practice. Most women find that putting forth the effort is well worth it. In the long run, breastfeeding is less time consuming than preparing bottles of formula, and breastfed babies are easier to care for.

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The staff of Growing With Baby wishes you good luck and invites you to write to us to let us know what kind of information will help you succeed in your breastfeeding efforts. We will use your input in our continuing effort to develop materials that support breastfeeding.

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Growing with Baby has developed many good educational materials for parents which will help them successfully breastfeed their baby.

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In December of 1997, the American Academy of Pediatrics strengthened its formal statement on breastfeeding. In the new statement the Academy describes human milk as uniquely superior for infant feeding. It further describes human milk as a species-specific food from which all substitute feeding options are markedly different. It states that breastfeeding has many advantages for the mother and the infant.

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The advantages fall into many growth and developmental areas including health, nutrition, immunological, psychological, social, economic and environmental benefits. The statement recommends that mothers be encouraged to breastfeed for at least the first year of life and continuing as long as the mother and child enjoy and benefit from the experience.

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As health professionals, we know that those recommendations are not always easy to meet. There are many reasons that our clients' attempts at breastfeeding fail or end early. The most common reason being lack of parental knowledge and support.

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To eliminate these barriers, it is vital that each new parent has the opportunity to learn of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding. They also need a basic understanding of breastfeeding processes such as, how and when to feed their baby, signs of infant hunger and satisfaction, and when to seek the help of a professional. Most importantly, they need to receive this information in a format that is easily understood.

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Growing With Baby is dedicated to the development of educational materials that will help health professionals meet the needs of the breastfeeding families they serve. Our materials are simple and easy to understand and contain accurate and up-to-date information. Please see our resources page for more information.

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