Position of the American Dietetic Association: Breaking the barriers to breastfeeding

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) that broad-ba sed efforts are needed to break the barriers to breastfeeding initiation an d duration. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and breastfeeding with com plementary foods for at least 12 months is the ideal feeding pattern for in fants. Increases in initiation and duration are needed to realize the healt h, nutritional, immunological, psychological, economical, and environmental benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding initiation rates have increased, but cultural barriers to breastfeeding, especially against breastfeeding fo r 6 months and longer, still exist. Gaps in rates of breastfeeding based on age, race, and socioeconomic status remain. Children benefit from the biol ogically unique properties of human mills including protection from illness with resulting economic benefits. Mother's benefits include reduced rates of premenopausal breast and ovarian cancers. Appropriate lactation manageme nt is a critical component of successful breastfeeding for healthy women. L actation support and management is even more important. in women and childr en with special needs caused by physical or developmental disability, disea se, or limited resources. Dietetics professionals have a responsibility to support breastfeeding through appropriate education and training, advocacy, and legislative action; through collaboration with outer professional grou ps; and through research to eliminate the barriers to breastfeeding.