Breastfeeding in the military: Part II. Resource and policy considerations.
Breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as the ideal form of nutrition for infants. Because of this, increasing the incidence and duration of breastfeeding is a major goal in Healthy People 2010. Part I of this series illustrated that the Department of Defense and its health care system, TRICARE, may not be meeting that goal, particularly after active duty mothers return to work. This study outlines the resources that would be required to optimally support breastfeeding after active duty mothers return to work. Selected policy implications of supporting breastfeeding are discussed, and recommendations for policy on breastfeeding are presented.
Bell
Michael R
MR
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Ritchie
Elspeth Cameron
EC
D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D014481:United States