It all began with
my search to help my own infant with some challenging health complications,
when my big stack of baby books, and all the doctors, just didn’t
offer any information that was helpful. My additional motivation was
the astounding reaction I received from many corners over my choice
to breastfeed my baby, and to otherwise instinctually provide him with
comfort and attention. I had no idea that this would be such an offensive
choice to many, and even considered dangerous by some.
I couldn’t
imagine that some of these artificial parenting arrangements could be
superior to nature’s plan that has carried us through the millennia.
Yet, I had to have proof — for myself, for my detractors.
I began by digging
into medical, psychology, and science research journals. It was not
long before I realized there was a tremendous bulk of research available,
and the direction it pointed was very distinct.
I found a lot of amazing information that is just not made available
to parents.
I began to recognize
that many of the very common problems parents have with babies today
stem from the new “modern” parenting practices promoted over
the last century (by industry-educated, predominantly male doctors)
— colic, reflux, rashes, diarrhea, constipation, sleeplessness, ADHD, diabetes,
obesity, hyperactivity, antisocial behavior — and then continuing
into adult problems of high blood pressure, depression, eating disorders,
and inability to form strong bonds with a mate.
Parents have been
encouraged that responding to their baby's pleas for affection and attention
would only "spoil" them. Yet, I have found no sound research
to support any long-term benefits from such detached parenting.
In fact, a mountain of studies suggest quite the opposite — that
responsive parenting is best.
Today, our newest neurological studies and hormonal findings
serve to re-prove what the attachment psychologists were trying to tell
us in 60’s and 70’s.
When affection
is withheld from baby, when they’re regularly left to cry alone,
when the bonding act of nursing is absent, we end up with far more children
with learning and behavior problems.
Additionally, when
the many powerful immune provisions from mother’s milk are withheld,
infants suffer twice the number of illnesses, with much more prolonged
episodes. Moreover, I learned that formula-fed babies suffer twice
the infant death rate as exclusively breastfed infants. That’s
right here in the U.S! That’s a few more babies per thousand!!
The
Deadly Influence of Formula
Read
how formula feeding doubles the infant death rate.
This
led me to a question of motive. I simply cannot believe that any one
of these delightful, caring physicians is truly out to harm my child.
My journey into the money and politics behind it all was another
hugely revealing sojourn that is all described in Baby Matters.
Are we told that
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is greatly reduced when babies are breastfed
naturally between two warm bodies throughout the night? As long as that’s
with non-smoking parents: SIDS rates for
cosleeping, exclusively breastfeeding babies (sleeping supine in
safe beds with responsible non-smoking parents) are
around 1/5th the rate seen with the standard crib sleeping, formula
feeding scenario.Yes, these are the research findings. It’s
all there in Baby Matters.
What has come to
be known as “Attachment Parenting”
more often develops children who actually become more independent, as
well as healthier and more psychologically secure. Families need to
make decisions that are best for them, but I personally think that,
given the factual information, some parents would be making some different
choices.
What
you Feed your Baby Matters.
How you Treat your Baby Matters.
Parents have the Power to Create and Enjoy Healthier,
Happier Children with Brighter Futures.
NEW:
Cosleeping
& SIDS -- 2005
Review
of the Latest and Most-Authoritative Studies
