Breastfeeding: Information for Healthcare Providers
Physicians play a central role in the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding.
What you should do
The American Academy of Pediatrics makes the following suggestions for how to have a breastfeeding friendly practice:
- Display breastfeeding supportive signs and educational materials.
- Avoid distributing free formula, coupons, or formula-sponsored promotional materials to pregnant patients and parents who have chosen to breastfeed.
- Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life whenever possible and discourage inappropriate supplementation.
- Advertise that you are a “breastfeeding friendly” practice and encourage parents to breastfeed in the office.
- Have a “triage” system in the office for all breastfeeding-related-inquiries.
- Employ a lactation consultant in the office.
- Have a room within the office space dedicated to “breastfeeding-related issues.”
- Keep a stock of breastfeeding supplies for the patient .
- Have breastfeeding reference books available, particularly one that describes compatibility of breastfeeding with the mother’s medications.
- Have resources available for community support groups.
- Know the laws in your state about breastfeeding and/or expressing milk at work and be able to support the patients in your practice to continue to breastfeed after returning to work or going back to school
Rhode Island Department of Health