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Question: My doctor suggested that when our baby is born to breast-feed for the first year. I was shocked. My mother did not nurse any of her three children and we seemed to turn out fine, so I was wondering if the benefits were really worth it. It seems like such a big commitment. Answer: Recent research shows that lack of stimulation in infancy dramatically affects the developmental progress of children. Physical closeness, hugging, eye contact, and the human voice play a significant role on their ability to relate to other people later in life. Breast-feeding addresses the physical and emotional bonding needs between a mother and child. It also stimulates the child’s physiological systems. The baby receives the helpful antibodies from mother’s milk, and it has been determined that even ear infections are fewer in breast-fed children. There are also helpful effects for Mom! Nursing releases a natural hormone in the mother that keeps her serotonin, norepinephrene, and dopamine levels normal. This bodily function diminishes the possibility of postpartum depression and anxiety. And of course the baby is receiving the kind of attention necessary to help insure a well-adjusted child. In short, breast-feeding has many benefits for both mother and child and should not be discounted for the sake of convenience or tradition. In fact most mothers rave about the simplicity of nursing and the money saved not spent on formula. This does not mean that bottle-fed babies cannot be secure, well-adjusted children, but nursing does provide unparalleled advantages. Answered by: Robert Rice, M.D. |