My understanding:
One of the points abouth the act of BF being better for visual and other brain development is that the baby in either the cross-cradle or madonna position, is focusing with one eye, then the other eye, leading to strength on both sides. In positions where both eyes are seen and seeing mom, binocular vision is enhanced. But for this truly to be effective, it is important that moms SWITCH SIDES.
When I am teaching moms who must, or prefer to bottle feed, I therefore encourage them to hold the babies in these various positions, and switch sides while feeding as well, to give as much of the physical advantages as well.
I also encourage them to do a lot of skin to skin with their babies, especially during feeds -- and especially to keep babies hands uncovered during feeds to enhance the learning that goes on through the infant's three motor-sensory receptors, ie mouth and two hands. This confers the same benefits as physiologically feeding at breast regarding the bonding (for both mom and babe), the awareness of self and mom, etc.
I encourage co-sleeping to give the babies the same sense of continuity and connectedness that we confer on babies fed at the breast.
Finally, I encourage even bottle-feeding moms, whether ABM or EBM, to still be baby-led with respect to feedings, changings, sleep/wake periods, solids and weaning.
I teach the same feeding cues and baby-watching.
If babies must get a bottle, at least let's not deprive them of all these other benefits of the physical association with their moms.
Chanita, San Francisco
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