1511cf66_all_To_Action_on_Breastfeeding__Topic
[ID] 371 [Interest Areas] Concerned Citizen Employer Health Care Provider Health Professional Organization Other Areas: Pediatrician, mother [Comment] This is huge. The truth is it is extremely difficult to work full-time and maintain a 100% breastfeeding relationship with your baby. I've done it, and being a pediatrician, I was extremely motivated, but I can attest that it was very hard. Biologically, women were not intended to be physically separated from their babies for longer than a couple of hours. The 8-10-12-hour separations we require in our society for a working mother simply are NOT conducive to breastfeeding. Even pumping every 3hrs with a high-quality breastpump does not maintain a milk supply the way direct breastfeeding does. Biologically, it is EXTREMELY difficult. We talk a lot about family values in this country, but if we really believe in family values, then the truth is that women should stay at home with their babies for at least a year, preferably 18-24mo. This sounds radical, I know, but other developed societies do it. Babies deserve to have their mothers at home giving them the best care possible for much longer than the 6-8wks we allow them. This would undoubtedly result in healthier, happier children and families for our society. [Topic] 
Paid Maternity Leave
Call To Action on Breastfeeding
Topic