Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk: An Analysis of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2012 Breastfeeding Policy Statement

In 1997 the Section on Breastfeeding of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published its first Policy Statement on breastfeeding. A revised statement was published in 2005 entitled ‘‘Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk.’’ Per the current regulations of the Academy, after 5 years, existing Policy Statements expire and no longer represent Academy Policy and thus must be renewed and/or revised. In February 2012 a new Policy Statement was published. While the lead authors (Arthur I. Eidelman and Richard J. Schanler) of the Statement represented the Section of Breastfeeding Medicine, it is important to note that the document underwent a review process that included review by all the relevant Sections and Committees of the Academy and the Board of Directors, so it is appropriate to state that it represents the consensus and approval of the entire AAP.