Breastfeeding: Management Before and After Conception

Abstract

The annual office encounter and other preconception visits for teens and women of childbearing age offer practitioners opportunities to reinforce their unequivocal support of breastfeeding and to discuss the benefits of breastfeeding, recommendations for exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding, and importance of a strong support system. With recurring visits to a breastfeeding-friendly medical office, the notion of breastfeeding can become normalized, and many natural occasions for patients to ask questions and seek resources may arise, which maximizes the chances of successful breastfeeding. To further optimize breastfeeding, practitioners can also assess the patient’s personal and family breastfeeding history; perform a breast examination to identify any structural, medical, or surgical problems; and suggest lifestyle or medication changes.