(Stillness the Storm Editor) The time just after a child is born is extremely important. Developmental psychologists have referred to this as the external pregnancy, an approximately nine-month period that is the most influential aspect of our lives. The impressions, habits, and treatment we received during this period play a huge role in determing the foundations of mental, emotional, and physical health. A study recently confirmed that sleeping with your child has certain benefits, contrary to what we’ve been told by doctors for years.
There’s so much to say about this period of life.
A child’s nervous system is directly tied to the mother, while in the womb. The child’s ability to regulate emotions and stress come from the mother. Out of the womb, the child looks to Mom, and Dad, to know how to react. Physical contact with both parents, especially the mother, has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety within children, this is true for both mothers and children.
Joseph Chilton Pearce is a developmental psychologist who wrote extensively about the importance of proper nurturing during the first year of life.
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In short, an infant needs physical contact with the mother or someone they love and trust, which literally trains their brain on how to deal with stressful situations. Additionally, it forms the core set of brain circuits for socialization. This means the way you learned how to deal with the unknown and other people was learned in the first year of life.
What happens if you don’t get enough physical contact, love, or nurturing? It causes life long problems of stress, personality issues, social attachment issues, and so on.
For parents, giving your child all the nurturing they need in the first year of life ensures high IQ and EQ, emotional health.
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What does this translate into? An easier life. Your child isn’t a problem child. They will be better at regulating their emotions, learning, compromise, and social interaction.
The following article adds a thread to this age-old, and in modern times, rediscovered the wisdom of child-rearing. While SIDS has been used to drum up fear around bed-sharing with a newborn, and to be sure one needs to be careful, the benefits of close intimate contact are so sweeping, it’s well with the risk, in my view.
– Justin
by Staff Writer, January 7th, 2020
Leading experts representing The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) have released new evidence-based recommendations regarding the benefits and risks of bedsharing for mother-infant pairs who have initiated breastfeeding and are in home settings. The new protocol is published in Breastfeeding Medicine.
In “Bedsharing and Breastfeeding,” Peter Blair and colleagues cite published evidence to support the overall conclusion that close nighttime proximity facilitates breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Safe bedsharing is possible and the existing evidence does not support the conclusion that bedsharing among breastfeeding infants causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the absence of known hazards. Hazardous circumstances include sleeping with an adult on a sofa or armchair; sleeping next to an adult impaired by alcohol, medications, or illicit drugs; tobacco exposure; preterm birth; and never having initiated breastfeeding.
The protocol emphasizes that all parents should be educated on safe bedsharing, with the understanding that bedsharing is very common, and when bedsharing is unplanned, it carries a higher risk than planned bedsharing.
The protocol emphasizes that all parents should be educated on safe bedsharing, with the understanding that bedsharing is very common, and when bedsharing is unplanned, it carries a higher risk than planned bedsharing. Image is in the public domain.
Arthur I. Eidelman, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Breastfeeding Medicine, states: “This is a most welcome balanced statement that emphasizes the positive value of safe bedsharing while properly delineating the clinical and environmental hazards that should be avoided.”
“Having conversations about safe bedsharing is important for removing stigma around the topic and for facilitating open and honest dialogue between parents and providers,” said Alison Stuebe, MD, president of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
Source:
Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Media Contacts:
Kathryn Ryan – Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Image Source:
The image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Closed access
“Bedsharing and Breastfeeding: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #6, Revision 2019”. Peter S. Blair, Helen L. Ball, James J. McKenna, Lori Feldman-Winter, Kathleen A. Marinelli, Melissa C. Bartick, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Michal Young, Larry Noble, Sarah Calhoun, Megan Elliott-Rudder, Laura Rachael Kair, Susan Lappin, Ilse Larson, Ruth A. Lawrence, Yvonne Lefort, NicoleXy Marshall, Katrina Mitchell, Catherine Murak, Eliza Myers, Sarah Reece-Stremtan, Casey Rosen-Carole, Susan Rothenberg, Tricia Schmidt, Tomoko Seo, Natasha Sriraman, Elizabeth K. Stehel, Adora Wonodi, Nancy Wight.
Breastfeeding Medicine doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.29144.psb.
Abstract
Bedsharing and Breastfeeding: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #6, Revision 2019
Abstract
A central goal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient.
Purpose
Bedsharing promotes breastfeeding initiation,1 duration,2–7 and exclusivity.7,8 Medical and public health organizations in some countries recommend against bedsharing, citing concerns over increased risk of sleep-related infant death.9,10 However, bedsharing may only be a risk in hazardous circumstances as demonstrated by epidemiological study (Table 1).11 We aim to clarify the currently available evidence regarding the benefits and risks of bedsharing, and offer evidence-based recommendations that promote infant and maternal health through increased breastfeeding duration.12 The recommendations in this protocol apply to mother–infant dyads who have initiated breastfeeding and are in home settings, and are not intended for use in hospitals or birth centers.
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
Psychology is the study of the nature of mind. Philosophy is the use of that mind in life. Both are critically important to gain an understanding of as they are aspects of the self. All you do and experience will pass through these gateways of being. The preceding information provides an overview of this self-knowledge, offering points to consider that people often don’t take the time to contemplate. With the choice to gain self-awareness, one can begin to see how their being works. With the wisdom of self-awareness, one has the tools to master their being and life in general, bringing order to chaos through navigating the challenges with the capacity for right action.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake? Send an email to [email protected], with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading.
Source:
https://neurosciencenews.com/breastfeeding-cosleeping-15414/
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