Medical management of successful breast-feeding

Despite the present climate of professional and lay enthusiasm for breast-feeding, many women experience problems in the initiation of lactation, either because of misinformation, secondary lactation difficulties, or primary failure of lactation. This article provides pediatricians with practical guidelines for the successful initiation of breast-feeding and the prevention and early detection of problems. Recommendations are made for optimal prenatal preparation for breast-feeding, intrapartum routines that facilitate lactation, appropriate early follow-up of nursing infants, and the management of the full normal course of breast-feeding.