Is there a new AAP bf policy?

[dantesmama]

I just got off the phone with my mom, and she said she heard on Dr. Phil today that there was a new American Academy of Pediatrics policy stating that children should be breastfed for a *maximum* of 2 years. (Of course, since this was Dr. Phil, they apparently had a nursing 7yo on just for the shock value. )
I hadn't heard of this and I'm hoping it's not true. :

[frontierpsych]

uh... not to my knowlege...

where's my tinfoil hat??

[DreamsInDigital]

I don't know about the AAP, but there has been a lot of talk lately about nursing past 24 months being "harmful" so this might just be another product of such a school of thought.

I don't buy it, despite not having nursed anyone past age 2.

[elizaMM]

Originally Posted by DreamsInDigital

... there has been a lot of talk lately about nursing past 24 months being "harmful" ...

who? where?

[dantesmama]

Ok, whew. I'm just assuming this is "Dr. Phil's new breastfeeding policy" then.

[pinky]

This is absolutely not true. The current AAP statement specifically says that there are no demonstrated negative effects of nursing into the third year and beyond. #@#%^&^ Dr. Phil!!!

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by dantesmama

Ok, whew. I'm just assuming this is "Dr. Phil's new breastfeeding policy" then.

I'm sure there is a "Dr. Phil's anti co-sleeping policy" too!!

[odenata]

Here's a link to Dr. Phil's advice, which includes this:

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that breast-feeding for the first 6 months after birth supports optimal growth and development and recommends that children be breast-fed for at least 12 months. Thereafter, breast-feeding can continue for as long as mutually desired. Experts agree that the only acceptable alternative to breast milk is infant formula.

I don't see anything about a "two year maximum" anywhere. Could your mother have misunderstood?

[odenata]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

I'm sure there is a "Dr. Phil's anti co-sleeping policy" too!!

Perhaps it's coming up...they are asking for co-sleeping stories that could lead to appearing on the show.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by odenata

Here's a link to Dr. Phil's advice, which includes this:


I don't see anything about a "two year maximum" anywhere. Could your mother have misunderstood?

Maybe her mom has a breastfeeding policy of nursing for a maximum of 2 years and hoped Dr. Phil would be a convincing source?

[Jaysfamily]

Thank you for reminding me why I quit watching the Dr. Phil show years ago! :

[tallulahma]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Maybe her mom has a breastfeeding policy of nursing for a maximum of 2 years and hoped Dr. Phil would be a convincing source?

lol

that is for sure something my mom would do.

"so, dr phil says....."

nevermind that dr phil never said it at all.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by odenata

Perhaps it's coming up...they are asking for co-sleeping stories that could lead to appearing on the show.

I should know better than to joke about such things...

[KristyDi]

I happened to see that today. Your mom heard wrong. Dr. Sears (not the original, but can't remember his 1st name) was on.

It actually wasn't too bad. Dr. Phil clearly stated both the AAP and WHO recs. He stressed the word minimum IIRC. One of the female dr.'s said something about how the breasts primary purpose is feeding kids. Dr. Sear talked about someone telling his wife to bf on the bathroom. He got applause when he said he told the person to go eat in the bathroom themselves. Dr. Sears also said that bf for the 1st year was "very important" because the longer kids are BF the smarter they get. (his phrase not mine)

[Ruthla]

The only new AAP statement about baby milk I'm aware of is to say that lowfat cow's milk is now OK for some 1yos. I don't agree with it, but it has nothing to do with breastfeeding.

[odenata]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

I should know better than to joke about such things...

Ya know, IIRC, I saw a Dr. Phil about co-sleeping. Dr. Phil is anti-co-sleeping, but he did have a Dr. Sears on (Bob, I think?) to represent the other view.

[jessjgh1]

well according to a dr i just spoke w/, once a baby is 1 they need cows milk because its higher in fats and nutrients than human milk...

so even if someone ignores fr phil they are likely to hear that from their doc
grrr

Jessica

[pantufla]

Originally Posted by inchijen

lol

that is for sure something my mom would do.

"so, dr phil says....."

nevermind that dr phil never said it at all.

Never mind that Dr. Phil isn't a medical doctor.

[SollysMom]

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

well according to a dr i just spoke w/, once a baby is 1 they need cows milk because its higher in fats and nutrients than human milk...

Our family doctor said I could give DS cow's milk at 1 year, but that there was no need to do so if he's still nursing. I love her

[dantesmama]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Maybe her mom has a breastfeeding policy of nursing for a maximum of 2 years and hoped Dr. Phil would be a convincing source?

It came up because she was asking if ds1 (3 in Oct) still nursed much. Actually, I think her exact words were, "Dante doesn't really nurse too much anymore, does he?" in a concerned voice. And then went on about how she doesn't think it's a good idea to nurse for very long because "kids are developing so much earlier these days." When I recited the AAP and WHO recommendations and mentioned that the worldwide age for natural weaning is around 4.5 years, she got very quiet. But she knows I know my stuff, and I doubt she really thought I'd believe *anything* Dr. Phil says! I'm sure she just misunderstood.