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Date: | Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:25:47 -0400 |
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Dear All:
Jennifer Sokolow writes about a typical scenario in which I think we need to reconsider our terms "baby-led" and "mother-led". From Harlow to Beatrice Bebee -- research suggest that neither "baby-led" or "mother-led" describes that series of interactions that occur between mothers and their babies that lead to securely attached infants. It is an INTERACTION -- between both parties. Harlow's monkeys that had the passive, always available cloth monkey did not do as well as the monkeys who had the less accessible more interactive swinging monkey that they had to jump onto in the right moment of the swing. They didn't do as well if they had real mothers who hovered too much when they were of an appropriate age to play with their monkey siblings. Ditto for the work of Beatrice Beebe and others who have worked on attachment theory. Mothers need to be responsive with some wiggle room.
So, when we are looking at breastfeeding, why do we swing from one extreme "mother-led" to another extreme "baby-led". It is an interaction. Suzanne Colson's work is beautiful qualitative research but still only encompasses a small sample size. I would say that her laid back style really takes advantage of many natural baby reflexes. It is comfortable for many women. I do not believe, however, than anyone should ever regret moving on to other positions that work better for a particular mother and her baby or babies. There are many variations of positions that can be comfortable.
Indeed, the literature on complementary feeding suggests that it is the mothers who interact with their children using responsive feeding that end up with the healthiest eaters. The regimented feeders and the lassez faire feeders don't do as well. The eating of food should be an enjoyable social experience rich in interaction. It should not be a lonely do it on your own or a tense you have to do it the right way experience.
The one statement that Suzanne Colson said during the talk that I went to troubled me. I feel it was correct for feeding, but not for dance. She herself said something to the effect that "there is no one right position for breastfeeding, there is a right way to dance". I disagree that there is a right way to dance. There are many ways to dance as well.
Best regards,
Susan E Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC
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