Breastfeeding and Breast Milk: For Researchers and Health Care Providers

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM)
The ABM is an international organization of physicians who promote, protect, and support breastfeeding and human lactation. The academy publishes the journal Breastfeeding Medicine, maintains a calendar of events, and issues protocols and statements.

• Read the ABM’s position statement on breastfeeding

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The AAP is a membership organization of 60,000 pediatricians. The AAP issues policy statements, clinical reports, technical reports, and practice guidelines on a broad range of topics.

• Read the AAP’s policy on breastfeeding and the use of human milk
• Visit the breastfeeding initiatives website

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
ACOG is a nonprofit organization of women’s health care physicians advocating women’s health issues)

• Find ACOG resources on breastfeeding

Healthy People 2020
As a part of the Healthy People 2020 initiative, the national goal is to increase the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babies in the early postpartum period to more than 80 percent by the year 2020. Read about specific goals: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=26

National Library of Medicine Toxicology Data Network (Toxnet)
Toxnet maintains the Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), a peer-reviewed, referenced resource database of drugs that breastfeeding mothers may have encountered.
Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding (PDF - 1.96 MB)

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
In 2008, the USPSTF issued recommendations regarding interventions during pregnancy and after birth to promote and support breastfeeding.

• Read the recommendations

U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
The committee is an independent, nonprofit coalition of more than 40 nationally influential professional, educational, and governmental organizations that work collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. The committee maintains information about organizations that offer breastfeeding training and education. It also has issued position statements on obesity prevention, feeding in emergencies, and workplace accommodations.

• Search training resources
• Read a committee position statement

Specific Documents of Interest

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries, April 2007 (PDF - 3.5 MB)
• NICHD ENG Branch Report to the NACHHD Council, June 2009 (PDF - 1 MB)
• NICHD PP Branch Report to the NACHHD Council, September 2008 (PDF - 1.2 MB)
• HHS Office on Women’s Health (OWH) Blueprints and Breastfeeding Policy Statements
• World Health Organization. Long-Term Effects of Breastfeeding. A Systematic Review (PDF - 1.2 MB)

Please note: Links to organizations and information included on this page do not indicate endorsement from the NICHD, NIH, or HHS.