Education, peer counseling, and paternal support: three ways to encourage a healthful breastfeeding schedule. (Practice Points).(Brief Article)

There are many reasons why the duration of breastfeeding for new mothers can fail to meet national requirements, but generally, those factors fall under the two headings of "fear of the unknown" and "inexperience." Rachelle Lessen, MS, RD, the acting chair of the Infant Nutrition SSU, a subgroup of the Pediatric Nutrition dietetic practice group, offers some useful suggestions for encouraging and educating mothers about the healthful benefits of breastfeeding.

"Is my baby getting enough milk?"

"Many women feel that they may have an insufficient supply of milk and that is the number one cause of weaning. Women need to understand that babies need to be fed …