Breast feeding Website opens

Mothers- and fathers-to-be are bombarded with decisions . Cloth or disposable diapers? Daycare, nanny or stay-at-home mom? Public or private school?

But by far, the decision with the greatest impact on the physical and mental development of every child is breast milk vs. formula.

Health professionals agree that breast-feeding is the ideal method.

In December 1997, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement strongly supporting breast-feeding exclusively for six months and continuing at least through the first year, citing health, nutritional, developmental, psychological and social benefits, among others.

"A baby’s development during the first year of his or her life depends, to a great extent, on receiving a mother’s breast milk," said Patty Brown, the co-founder of www.breastfeeding.com, an online resource of breast-feeding information and support.

"Parents need to know this.One of the biggest barriers to breast-feeding is little or incorrect information. Not many mothers are aware of the benefits of breast-feeding for both their baby and themselves, or of the proper breast-feeding techniques. And, although breast-feeding is natural, it is not always easy. We created the Website to provide mothers and fathers with a fun and informative place to get the information, facts and expert advice they need,’’ Brown said.

Website visitors will also have access to support of thousands of other moms through chat rooms, Brown said.