Current physician practice with regard to breast-feeding

Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-86)Breast-feeding has recently been endorsed as the superior mode of infant feeding. The physician plays a key role in the management of successful lactation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the current practices of physicians with regard to breast-feeding. A review of the literature showed that some physicians who are supportive of breast-feeding may actually be practicing outdated lactation management techniques. A questionnaire was mailed to physicians in the Los Angeles-Orange County area. The results showed that most of the physicians were supportive of breast-feeding. Their current practices were more updated than previously believed. More pediatricians than general practitioners supported adding solids after four months. The majority of obstetricians left all supplementation to the discretion of the pediatrician. Most physicians felt that their training provided them with an adequate knowledge of breast milk composition. The results showed that some physicians need to reevaluate their own practices in regard to breast-feeding to determine if they are as supportive as they would like to be. The results also indicated a need for medical schools to reevaluate their training programs to include successful management of lactation