Incorporating breastfeeding care into daily newborn rounds and pediatric office practice

The daily routine of a pediatrician abounds with opportunities to provide a ppropriate evaluation, intervention, information, and encouragement for the breastfeeding baby and family. The key to providing good breastfeeding car e is effectively integrating the relevant information and skills into exist ing daily routines. This article distills into a usable format the critical physiologic principles, evaluation techniques, and management skill pediat ricians need to be effective and efficient in caring for breastfed patients . The information is organized according to two practice environments: (1) the newborn care service and (2) the pediatric office practice.