NINTH EDITION
BREASTFEEDING
A GUIDE FOR THE MEDICAL PROFESSION

Almost five decades ago, work began on the first edition of
this text. Much has changed in the field of human lactation
and in the world at large. The trickle of scientific work on the
subject in 1975 has swollen into a river overflowing its banks.
The Lactation Study Center at the University of Rochester
has more than 50,000 documents in its database that describe
peer-reviewed scientific studies and reports, and every year
there are new controlled trials, systematic reviews, metaanalyses, and cost-based analyses of breastfeeding and the use
of human milk. The field of lactation research has moved to
the molecular and the genetic levels to analyze the chemical
and component nature of breast milk and how that influences
the infant’s growth and development and later immunologic,
allergic, metabolic, and overall health. Public health research
continues to examine the short-term and long-term benefits
of breast milk and breastfeeding for the infant and the
mother. Clinical research seeks to apply evidenced-based data
to the practice, experience, and support of breastfeeding
within communities and for individual women and families.
It is not simply the application of specific protocols and policies but thoughtful consideration and individualized support
for the breastfeeding mother-infant dyad that leads to a
mother reaching her breastfeeding goals.