Breastfeeding Is Ideal Feeding Pattern for Infants: Updated Position of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Newswise — CHICAGO – Human milk provides the best nutrition for most babies and breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for infants and very young children, according to an updated position paper from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The paper also outlines the health risks of not breastfeeding, which include increased rates of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality, increased health care costs and significant economic losses to families and employers.

The position paper “Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding,” published in the March Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, states:

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the first 6 months of life and that breastfeeding with complementary foods from six months until at least 12 months of age is the ideal feeding pattern for infants. Breastfeeding is an important public health strategy for improving infant and child morbidity and mortality, improving maternal morbidity and helping to control health care costs.

According to the position paper: “Research continues to support the positive effects of human milk on infant and maternal health, as it is a living biological fluid with many qualities not replicable by human milk substitutes. Recent research advancements include a greater understanding of the human gut microbiome, the protective effect of human milk for premature infants and those born to women experiencing gestational diabetes mellitus, the relationship of breastfeeding with human immunodeficiency virus and the increased ability to characterize cellular components of human milk.”

The authors of the Academy’s position paper note that:• Human milk contains components that cannot be manufactured in infant formula. • Rates of breastfeeding are improving, but young women, low-income women, women living in certain regions of the U.S. and African-American women continue to have the lowest breastfeeding rates in the country. • This updated position paper highlights the costs of not breastfeeding and supports providing breast milk as the best way to feed babies.

The Academy’s updated position paper was written by registered dietitian nutritionists Rachelle Lessen, MS, RD, IBCLC, LDN; and Katherine Kavanagh, PhD, RD, LDN.

A practice paper on the same topic, designed to assist registered dietitian nutritionists in working with patients and clients in feeding young children, has also been posted to the Academy’s member website.

Interviews with registered dietitian nutritionists with expertise in breastfeeding can be arranged by calling 312/899-4769 or emailing [email protected].

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All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.