The Problem With The AAP's New Breastfeeding Guidelines

Christelle Leuvennink via Getty Images More support for moms who choose to breastfeed past one year is a good thing. They called for pediatricians to support families who want to keep nursing and advocate for policy changes — such as universal paid family leave, workplace protections for pumping and insurance coverage for lactation supplies and support — that would make it more feasible in the U.S. “There must be policy to actually support women and their babies in this endeavor.” - Allison S. Gabriel, organizational psychologist With the update, the AAP also aims to normalize breastfeeding past the one-year mark for families who choose to do so — a decision mothers are sometimes ridiculed for, Meek told HuffPost. As Karrie Locher — a registered nurse, certified lactation counselor and mother of four — told HuffPost: “Though we know that the benefits of breastmilk don’t just ‘shut off’ at one year, it has still unfortunately been a source of judgment when parents choose to breastfeed past 1. also helps set a precedent that will hopefully trickle down into maternity leave laws, child care, insurance coverage for lactation support and pumping laws.” Some women are frustrated by the new guidelines. “There should also be more support and acknowledgement for the numerous parents who cannot or do not breastfeed.” In response to some of the pushback, Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter, chair of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding, told HuffPost: “We were careful to preface the recommendation by centering mothers and babies, that breastfeeding should last as long as mutually desired.” Meek also said that the guidelines “support making decisions about infant feeding in the manner that is best for family” and that the AAP’s goal is to “support all moms and families.” Workplace support for lactating moms is lacking. “To make these recommendations and not acknowledge that mothers are struggling to stay afloat completely misses the moment of where many mothers are — myself included.” Atipati Netiniyom / EyeEm via Getty Images Maternal mental health must also be taken into account when creating breastfeeding policy guidelines, Gabriel said.