Statement On Exclusive Breastfeeding
United States Breastfeeding Committee
August 5, 2000
The United States Breastfeeding Committee's considered opinion
is that healthy full-term infants be exclusively breastfed for about six months.
This point of view is supported by expert opinions such as those expressed in
the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy1 and the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Educational Bulletin2 regarding
the positive impact of breastfeeding on women's health, infants' health, and the
enhanced relationship between mother and infant.
The United States Breastfeeding Committee has found no data supporting the introduction
of complementary foods prior to about six months and calls for research to more
thoroughly and carefully investigate this issue.
1 American Academy of Pediatrics Work Group on Breastfeeding, 1997. Breastfeeding and the use of Human Milk. Pediatrics 1997;100:1035-1039. (Policy # RE9729).
2 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Educational Bulletin # 258, July 2000.
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