American Academy of Family Physicians

[pantufla]

I came across this today.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdo...interview.html
Anyone feel like writing some letters?

[annettemarie]

Fascinating. So in their world, every single infant in fed formula?

[bobbirs]

wow that is terrible!!! Who knew ALL babies that spit up eat formula...

No mention whatsoever about bf! :

[LeighB]

Hmmms. That's not right.

[*MamaJen*]

Sheesh. That whole "formula as the norm" thing gets to me so bad.

[Ruthla]

WTF? No mention of "breastmilk or formula" in the spitting up box?

[Tine]

FWIW, I see that this (crappy) chart was first published in 1996. It obviously hasn't been updated. But still...it was crappy to begin with and even crappier now! C'mon, AAFP, pay attention to the message you're sending!

[MaryJaneLouise]

I just wrote, thanks for the alert :.

[Meiri]

I read that first "yes/no" question almost as the assumption that breastfed babies wouldn't be throwing up, which we know is not true...

This seems odd to me as I'm recalling that the AAFP had been more supportive of breastfeeding than the AAP, in that they go (went?) along with the WHO recommendation of 2 years of nursing--as compared to the AAP saying "one year."

[lacysmommy]

Yes, I recall the AAFP recommended two years as well, but I found their policy statement which says, "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." I also found their position paper, which mentions the WHO's recommendation of two years, but I can't find anything that says the AAFP recommends two years of breastfeeding. I only skimmed the position paper, so it might be in there. I do distinctly recall reading that they recommended two years at one point.

[Claire and Boys]

that is so sad, and considering how many Drs and midwives over here have automatically assumed that I feed formula without even asking, it doesn't surprise me either

Couldn't they just say MILK? That would encompass all feeding types right?

I guess that more infants fed formula are likely to get nausea and vomiting though (due at least to contamination in water)

[treemom2]

Originally Posted by Claire and Boys

I guess that more infants fed formula are likely to get nausea and vomiting though (due at least to contamination in water)

or cow milk/soy milk intolerence. It is sad that they just assume formula feeding is the norm when spitting up. . .but maybe I'm just ignorant, but do formula fed infants spit up more and more severely (unless of course they are not the norm and do have a serious digestive problem)than BF babes?

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Fascinating. So in their world, every single infant in fed formula?

Nah, they think that breastfed babies never get sick. Notice the diagnoses:
"a common occurrence for infants on formula"
"from a problem with a FORMULA"

On the plus side, the only mention of formula on the breastfeeding page is "Don't start giving your baby formula or cereal. If you give formula or cereal to your baby, he or she may not want as much breast milk. This will decrease your milk supply." While the formula page starts off with "breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby" as part of the typical "don't feel guilty" blurb.

So they may be responsive to letters about this issue.

[evlu]

Originally Posted by lacysmommy

I can't find anything that says the AAFP recommends two years of breastfeeding. I only skimmed the position paper, so it might be in there.

It is in the position paper, under the heading "Nursing Beyond Infancy": "Breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is currently not the cultural norm and requires ongoing support and encouragement.... If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/p...tionpaper.html

[lacysmommy]

Originally Posted by evlu

It is in the position paper, under the heading "Nursing Beyond Infancy": "Breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is currently not the cultural norm and requires ongoing support and encouragement.... If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/p...tionpaper.html

Thanks! I knew I hadn't looked closely enough.

[MamaVolpe]

I always spit up when I taste formula :Puke but every time I have tasted breast milk .