Page 112 - April Issue

in focus: infant | family ties
that the timeframe is quite
variable. “Some mothers bond
as soon as they feel that tiny
fluttering inside of their bellies;
for others it is immediately after
seeing her newborn, hearing the
first cry or holding baby in her
arms,” she notes, adding, “But
for some mothers, it can take
longer, and this can be unsettling
to a mother who expects to
instantly fall in love with her
baby.”
Reasons
Difficult or traumatic deliveries
and C-sections have been shown
to diminish early bonding and
the reason is actually biological,
stresses Waltenspuhl. “Bonding is
actually a survival instinct that all may experience low self-esteem, skin contact and breastfeeding
mammals experience to ensure
that they protect and care for
their young,” she says, “During
natural labour, the mother
produces a hormone called
oxytocin, which stimulates the
uterus to contract. But oxytocin is
also known as the “love hormone”
and is produced during moments
of affection and when we fall in
love.” So during natural labour
and childbirth, the mother’s
body naturally fills with oxytocin
and when baby is born, she is
most receptive to bonding. And
having a doula at birth, advises
Waltenspuhl, greatly increases
your chance for a natural birth
and therefore successful bonding.
“Oxytocin is also released during
breastfeeding, which is why we
encourage mothers to try to
breastfeed as soon as the baby
is born,” she says, and babies
are born with the instinct to
breastfeed and in fact, studies
by Dr Jack Newman the founder
of The Newman Breastfeeding
Clinic and Institute determined
that a newborn infant placed on
mom’s belly can “crawl” to the
mother, baby & child April 2011
112
breast. “Even if mothers do not a way to bring baby into their
instantly bond, most eventually life before he is even born.
will, as attachment and bonding is Immediately after birth, the
nurtured by the simple day-to-day key to successful bonding, she
caring, feeding and spending time notes, is keeping mother and
with baby,” she says. baby together. “As doulas, we
encourage mother-baby bonding
When It Does Not through skin-to-skin contact by
Happen
It has been suggested, says placing baby on mother’s chest
Waltenspuhl, that babies who do and letting the baby breastfeed,”
not bond early with their mothers she says, adding, “Both skin-to-
difficulties in maintaining healthy will produce oxytocin, and
relationships and feelings of breastfeeding also stimulates
insecurity throughout their lives. the release of prolactin, another
“When a mother does not bond hormone that is associated
with her baby, she is less likely with maternal feelings.” When
to respond to his needs quickly possible, routine medical
or sufficiently,” she says and procedures should be delayed
she may find she resents the so that baby stays with mom and
baby and the time needed to dad. Most hospitals encourage
care for him. And the baby will babies to room-in with mom
sense this and it will influence rather than staying in the nursery.
his perception of the world. But moms should not feel guilty
Waltenspuhl relates one study if they need a bit of rest and
which demonstrates the effects give baby over to the nurses for
of lack of mother-baby bonding: a while.
“Newborn monkeys who were Home
given mannequin mothers at
birth showed that, even when the At home, Waltenspuhl explains
mannequins were made of soft that she tells parents to continue
material and provided formula skin-to-skin contact by touching
to the baby monkeys, the babies their baby’s skin and holding and
were better socialised when snuggling with baby as much as
they had live mothers to interact possible. “Remember, you cannot
with. The baby monkeys with spoil a newborn by holding her
mannequin mothers were more too much! Minimise activities and
likely to suffer from despair, as visitors the first few days after
well as failure to thrive. Scientists baby comes home so that the
suspect that lack of bonding in bonding between parents and
human babies can cause similar baby is not disrupted,” she says
problems.” and also take the time to enjoy
Before and After these precious few days. “Babies
are tiny for such a short time, and
Before the baby is born, the relationship you develop in
Waltenspuhl suggests that the early days can last a lifetime!”
mothers are encouraged to
sing, talk or read to their babies.
“Taking a parenting class or even CREDITS:
just talking to other pregnant Christine Waltenspuhl, Doula trained by
Nurturing Birth UK, La Leche Peer Breastfeeding
mums and dads can help early Counsellor, working with the Doulas of Dubai
bonding,” she says and this is Visit: www.doulasofdubai.com
050-1538161