Role of the pediatrician in breastfeeding management.

The pediatrician plays a major role in advocating, promoting, and managing breastfeeding, beginning in the prenatal period by providing facts and discussing questions and concerns regarding breastfeeding with the expectant mother and continuing after delivery in the hospital and during infant health supervision visits. The early weeks after birth require education, support, and encouragement. The pediatrician sets the standard that breastfeeding is norm. The pediatrician is in the optimal place to advocate and formulate hospital policies conducive to lactation and the provision of human milk and must be knowledgeable about the breastfeeding support provided by the office and community.