What does ABM mean in PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is an international organization of clinicians, researchers and educators whose goal is to achieve optimal infant and young child health and nutrition through the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding. This includes advocating for evidence-based lactation care in clinical practice, education, research and policy.

To become a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine you must be part of a medical profession such as medicine, nursing or midwifery. Other practitioners such as dietitians, speech therapists or social workers who have an interest in breastfeeding may also apply for membership. All members are required to pay an annual membership fee.

The Academy offers a wide range of educational resources including books, webinars, podcasts and online courses which provide information on evidence-based breastfeeding practices. It also provides guidelines for healthcare professionals on topics such as nutrition for infants and young children when breastfeeding is not possible or feasible.

The Academy conducts research on a variety of topics related to breastfeeding including physiology and physiology-related aspects; public health interventions related to lactation; epidemiology; safety; ethical issues; nutrition; socio-cultural issues; determinants; outcomes related to maternal child health and well-being during lactation; health system dynamics that impact breastfeeding behaviors; economic models associated with infant feeding decisions-making process; medical management strategies for common conditions related to lactation.

Yes! The academy hosts an Annual International Meeting which provides opportunities for attending delegates to exchange information on scientific developments concerning human lactation as well as promote collaboration among professionals across many disciplines who share an interest in prenatal/postnatal human milk nutrition.

Yes, The Academy publishes its official journal “Breastfeeding Medicine” which covers topics relevant to professionals involved in lacatational care and research with new issues published every three months. They also publish their policy statement recommendations relating to clinical practice guidelines developed by board certified clinicians who specialize in lactation care.

Conferences held by the academy can benefit healthcare providers from various disciplines such as physicians, nurses, midwives, dietitians/nutritionists as well as other allied healthcare professionals working in the field who want to increase their knowledge base around evidence based practices surrounding breastfeeding medicine.

There are several ways one can stay up-to-date with updates from the academy -- subscribing their mailing list so they can receive notifications about latest developments in evidence based practices involving lacatational care, following them on social media accounts such Twitter (@AcademyBFMed) where they post news updates regularly amongst other things.