Provider encouragement of breastfeeding: efficacy and ethics.

a b T h t d p f i fi a he health and economic benefits of breastfeeding are ell documented, and mothers’ milk is considered the ptimal feeding method for almost all infants. Reports f benefits for breastfed infants and children include ecreases in otitis media, atopic dermatitis, and astroenteritis, as well as a lower risk of obesity nd asthma. Additional benefits include a reduced ncidence of sudden infant death syndrome, type 1 nd type 2 diabetes mellitus, and childhood leukeia. In addition, there are maternal health benefits of reastfeeding that include reduction in the risk of breast ancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes mellius, and an association between not breastfeeding and ostpartum depression. Given this evidence, health care providers should take n assertive stance in promoting, protecting, and recomending breastfeeding to expectant and new mothers. his is consistent with current professional policy stateents on breastfeeding and the use of human milk. his commentary discusses the ethical obligation for rovider encouragement of breastfeeding, given the state f the science regarding the health benefits of breastfeedng.