Sunday, September 4, 2011

Breastfeeding Makes You a Mama Bear!

Are you a Mama Bear? Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Photo courtesy of Harrynl at Flickr

New research shows that exclusively breastfeeding mothers are more likely to be protective of their infants than mothers who formula-feed or non-mothers. And, while defending themselves and their babes, these exclusively breastfeeding mothers keep their blood pressure down to boot. Here are two links about the study that I like:

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/like-mama-bears-nursing-mothers-213692.aspx

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/9-2-2011-lactating-moms-react-with-more-aggression/

Let me say, I am not surprised. Breastfeeding moms are biologically different from formula-feeding mothers. Breastfeeding mothers respond to their infants with their whole body - a nursing mother has a strong instinct to respond to her infant's cue and cries by picking him up and nursing her baby at her breast. She doesn't need to think about this - unless culture gets in the way. The old "You'll spoil your baby" routine. Nursing mothers have good, strong instincts - let's encourage this. Protecting your baby and looking out for his survival is a good thing. Biological connection is essential for infant well-being.

These articles also make me think about how these specific hormonal changes that make mothers more aggressive could also contribute to mothers possibly feeling more empowered. I know this was my experience with mothering through breastfeeding. I believe that successful breastfeeding contributes to a strong sense of self for many women. Mothers gain confidence as they learn to respond to their baby and trust in their body's ability to nourish him physically, emotionally and mentally. The mother is all the baby really needs and wants. She is the essential one. She is irreplaceable. Formula makes it seem like the mother can be replaced. That someone else can substitute. No, they can't. Really. How can you not feel confident if you know that you are the only one who can meet your baby's needs the way you can by breastfeeding? It's incredible.

This is why it is so crucial to make sure women are given the support they need to successfully nurse their infants. We have a lot of work to do to make sure this can happen as a society. Formula-feeding mothers can be loving and protective mothers, of course - it's just a lot harder. No biology working for them. They've got to think about it because there are not built-in mechanisms that foster bonding and a protective attitude. Mothering is hard enough as it is - let's not make it any harder.

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