Valerie wrote ( and I concur)
<<   And, we seem to have this mind set about babies and children--the need
to be an adult in control of our babies and children.  Lack of the ability to
control our babies or children in this society is met with disapproval.  Lack
of control can be a baby that cries (at the wrong time or anytime) or
children that don't respond quickly enough to an adult.  I believe that
breastfeeding seems to some adults like a lack of control of the infant, like
the infant is in control not the mother.  >>

These same people tend also to place a high value on independence.  If they
can be shown how much independence the baby breastfed on cue actually has,
then they can see themselves as facilitating independence rather than losing
control.  I've begun to point out as a benefit of breastfeeding that the
human nipple cannot be forced into baby's mouth.  Baby must open up and take
it in.  The vigor of baby's suckle largely determines how much milk baby gets
and how fast.  Baby can pause at will.  Baby can chose a meal, a snack or a
cuddle.  And if there is such a thing as an 'appestat' -- the regulator of
appetite -- it stays natural on its natural setting.
Where an older child would say, "I'm hungry, Mommy," the baby stirs, mouths
and roots.  When the adult responds, baby's self-esteem is enhanced.  So, I
ask, if we want to foster self-confidence and independence, why ignore the
first communications and frustrate the first attempts at taking care of
oneself?

If you use this or some similar reasoning, I'd be interested in hearing about
it.

Alice Martino,
accredited volunteer with major support group
in central New York State
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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