The words protect, promote, and support are found in numerous breastfeeding documents. The phrase was first introduced in 1981 in Sweden by Dr. Ted Greiner, a husband, father, educator, nutritionist, consultant, and breastfeeding advocate extraordinaire. The language was quickly adopted by the United Nations and other agencies, and today serves as the cornerstone of breastfeeding programs worldwide.

The crucial point Dr. Greiner was trying to make, was that it is inappropriate to promote breastfeeding until programs are in place to protect the breastfeeding that is already taking place from commercial and other threats and to provide women with the support they need to succeed. For over 30 years, Dr. Greiner has been involved in the development of programs and policies focusing on breastfeeding and infant and child nutrition. His work has earned him national and international acclaim.

Those familiar with Dr. Greiner’s writings will be pleased to know that they have recently been cataloged on a newly launched website—Global Breastfeeding. The publications date back to the 1970s and cover a wide range of topics. The site also contains a wonderful collection of breastfeeding images.

Global Breastfeeding is a treasure trove of information from classic commentaries to revealing analyses. Dr. Greiner has devoted his life to the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding. I am most grateful to Denise Arcoverde for making his writings widely available.