This statement from the AAP's press release is ridiculous:

"Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. There is no need to introduce infant formula or other sources of nutrition for most infants. Beyond 6 months, breastfeeding should be maintained along with nutritious complementary foods."

Yes, there is a need to introduce formula for any number of reasons:
- The birthing parent is not interested in breastfeeding
- The child is adopted
- The birthing parent cannot produce enough milk WHICH IS COMMON AND NORMAL AND NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF

The AAP was paid off by the CDC so that the government doesn't have to spend so much on WIC formula.

Anonymous wrote:I love the AAP. They’re advocating for universal healthcare, support for parents the workplace and real maternity leave. This is not about shaming the individual mother against formula, but rather shaming this country into providing decent healthcare and companies into providing decent leave policies.

https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2022/american-academy-of-pediatrics-calls-for-more-support-for-breastfeeding-mothers-within-updated-policy-recommendations/

The underlying premise is an assumption that if only we offered these things women would WANT to breastfeed. Many simply do not, and do so only for the purported health benefits (which are marginal, at best).

I find it incredibly problematic to tie parental leave (I am NOT supportive of leave only for birthing parents) to breastfeeding. That is not the only reason, or even the primary reason, why parental leave is needed. The AAP is trying to pass off its lactivism as support for maternity leave. These things should not be conflated and doing so is harmful to women and families. If they have a recommendation about breastfeeding based on science, they should offer it, and SEPARATELY, if they have a recommendation about parental leave, they should offer that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was thrilled with the AAP statement! Maybe you do not realize how much pressure and judgement women who choose
To breastfeed for more than 1 year encounter but yes women who make this cbice should be supported. I’m glad I can now cite the AAP as well as the WHO. AAP is not saying women sbould breastfeed for two years just that there are benefits and people who make this choice should be supported by their doctors and protected from workplace barriers.

Not clear why you are so threatened by this and invested in saying women shouldn’t br supported. As someone who is still breastfeeding my 13 month old I’m thrilled that breastfeeding beyond a year is being normalized because there is a lot of societal pressure and judgement to stop.

Same. There is a lot of judgement around breastfeeding; there is little to no support. If you don't want to breastfeed, then don't!

I would love it if I trusted that pediatricians would echo this message, but that is not what they do. They say breast is best, and for a new mother, that is absolutely pressure.

Anonymous wrote:I was thrilled with the AAP statement! Maybe you do not realize how much pressure and judgement women who choose
To breastfeed for more than 1 year encounter but yes women who make this cbice should be supported. I’m glad I can now cite the AAP as well as the WHO. AAP is not saying women sbould breastfeed for two years just that there are benefits and people who make this choice should be supported by their doctors and protected from workplace barriers.

Not clear why you are so threatened by this and invested in saying women shouldn’t br supported. As someone who is still breastfeeding my 13 month old I’m thrilled that breastfeeding beyond a year is being normalized because there is a lot of societal pressure and judgement to stop.

Same. There is a lot of judgement around breastfeeding; there is little to no support. If you don't want to breastfeed, then don't!

I was thrilled with the AAP statement! Maybe you do not realize how much pressure and judgement women who choose
To breastfeed for more than 1 year encounter but yes women who make this cbice should be supported. I’m glad I can now cite the AAP as well as the WHO. AAP is not saying women sbould breastfeed for two years just that there are benefits and people who make this choice should be supported by their doctors and protected from workplace barriers.

Not clear why you are so threatened by this and invested in saying women shouldn’t br supported. As someone who is still breastfeeding my 13 month old I’m thrilled that breastfeeding beyond a year is being normalized because there is a lot of societal pressure and judgement to stop.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree though, there should be more focus on access -- the women who are most vulnerable and would benefit most from breastfeeding are those who are least able to do it. And a level-set that the WHO's "until 2 years old" rec is more meaningful for parents in countries without clean water or reliable nutritious food.

That's code for "I want to spend fewer tax dollars on formula in the WIC program" . Maybe we should just make sure babies get fed. FFS.

Jesus, no. But it would be great if there were real choices for women other than going right back to a minimum-wage job vs. having maternity leave long enough to breastfeed if they choose.

Ok, maybe the AAP should recognize maternity leave as a goal in and of itself rather than simply being only good for breastfeeding. Btw a 2 year "maternity leave" would be horrible for women. 6 months parental leave for persons of all genders is what we need and it should not be about breastfeeding, that is a side benefit for those who want it.

This.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree though, there should be more focus on access -- the women who are most vulnerable and would benefit most from breastfeeding are those who are least able to do it. And a level-set that the WHO's "until 2 years old" rec is more meaningful for parents in countries without clean water or reliable nutritious food.

That's code for "I want to spend fewer tax dollars on formula in the WIC program" . Maybe we should just make sure babies get fed. FFS.

Jesus, no. But it would be great if there were real choices for women other than going right back to a minimum-wage job vs. having maternity leave long enough to breastfeed if they choose.

Ok, maybe the AAP should recognize maternity leave as a goal in and of itself rather than simply being only good for breastfeeding. Btw a 2 year "maternity leave" would be horrible for women. 6 months parental leave for persons of all genders is what we need and it should not be about breastfeeding, that is a side benefit for those who want it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree though, there should be more focus on access -- the women who are most vulnerable and would benefit most from breastfeeding are those who are least able to do it. And a level-set that the WHO's "until 2 years old" rec is more meaningful for parents in countries without clean water or reliable nutritious food.

That's code for "I want to spend fewer tax dollars on formula in the WIC program" . Maybe we should just make sure babies get fed. FFS.

Jesus, no. But it would be great if there were real choices for women other than going right back to a minimum-wage job vs. having maternity leave long enough to breastfeed if they choose.

Anonymous wrote:Agree though, there should be more focus on access -- the women who are most vulnerable and would benefit most from breastfeeding are those who are least able to do it. And a level-set that the WHO's "until 2 years old" rec is more meaningful for parents in countries without clean water or reliable nutritious food.

That's code for "I want to spend fewer tax dollars on formula in the WIC program" . Maybe we should just make sure babies get fed. FFS.

Anonymous wrote:I love the AAP. They’re advocating for universal healthcare, support for parents the workplace and real maternity leave. This is not about shaming the individual mother against formula, but rather shaming this country into providing decent healthcare and companies into providing decent leave policies.

https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2022/american-academy-of-pediatrics-calls-for-more-support-for-breastfeeding-mothers-within-updated-policy-recommendations/

Please. Many women do not breastfeed for two years simply because they do not want to. My mental health would have been so much better if I hadn't bought into the breast is best bs.

And what exactly are they doing to get universal healthcare done? Putting out a statement? Big whoop.

Agree though, there should be more focus on access -- the women who are most vulnerable and would benefit most from breastfeeding are those who are least able to do it. And a level-set that the WHO's "until 2 years old" rec is more meaningful for parents in countries without clean water or reliable nutritious food.

If your ped is pressuring you to breastfeed, find a new one. None of the ones I've seen have cared one bit about my (then) baby being mostly formula-fed.

I love the AAP. They’re advocating for universal healthcare, support for parents the workplace and real maternity leave. This is not about shaming the individual mother against formula, but rather shaming this country into providing decent healthcare and companies into providing decent leave policies.

https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2022/american-academy-of-pediatrics-calls-for-more-support-for-breastfeeding-mothers-within-updated-policy-recommendations/

Why do they continue to make recommendations that are so divorced from reality? Rather than recommending breastfeeding for TWO BLOODY YEARS maybe they should tell pediatricians to stay out of families' decisions regarding formula vs breast milk. Both/either are fine. JFC.