The Tender Gift: Breastfeeding

Abstract: Supportive care of and attention to the mother are considered the key elements to successful breastfeeding. This concept is documented with anthropological research examining past and present childbirth practices in many cultures. The concept of the doula, the woman who nurtures the new mother, is advanced. The suggestion is made that American society and contemporary life style can be adapted to provide the support the breastfeeding mother needs. The experiences of many women, as well as the nursing behaviors of animals, are used to explain the physiological process and psychological aspects of lactation. Myths surrounding breast- and bottle-feeding are explored, and the pros and cons of each are examined. The mother who receives some mothering herself is more likely to enjoy the special relationship with her infant that breastfeeding allows.