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When I was pregnant, I studied midwifery.
My resources were:
"The American Way of Birth" which was an oddball book I'd found at a thrift store.
It told the story of how... in the early 20th century... childbirth became some sort of pathology
that needed physicians to assist.
And so midwivery became unacceptable and women were encouraged and
even compelled to go to a hospital to give birth to their child.
Unfortunately, hospitals did not practice sterile procedures...
and doctors would go from one patient or surgery to another patient... including a childbirth...
which commonly resulted in life-threatening infections in women.
Many women resisted going to a hospital... seeing it as a death trap.
This began to change in the 1960's... with people returning to natural processes.
I had a home birth but I knew the signs of trouble occurring... and when to get to a hospital.
Another resource I found was... the La Leche League... and a few of the books that they
recommended on many various topics... including raising children. La Leche League coaches women
on breastfeeding. Modern women were commonly breastfeeding just a few weeks...
then going to baby bottles... a bothersome routine, indeed.
I never had to sterilize a baby bottle... did not own one... and I had learned many things that helped
me understand babies.
I coo-ed over my newborn son... as I held him close to me...
"oh oh ya oh oh"... he had been struggling for his life...!
When I set him into a bedside crib... on a soft pillow... he got scared... and called to me...
"oh oh oh"... and again "oh oh oh"... like... where was that comforting voice...?
and so I patted him gently and held his hand and rocked him... and coo-ed to him... til he slept.
It was like a mama whale and baby whale calling to each other in the ocean... so sweet.
He was just learning to trust me... and I didn't betray him... or laugh at innocent mistakes he made...
(aren't they so cute)... but it hurts their attempts to learn. And I never played practical jokes on him.
Children have a sense of dignity, too...! Why torture a child with that confusing stuff...?
Babies don't understand words... it is all about sounds...
and so, too many words just confuses them.
Oh... there were things that are commonly done... that I just didn't do.
I never used a carrier that required a baby's legs to be spread wide... I carried him sideways... on my arm.
I never rested my baby on my hip... or walked with him riding on my hip... EVER... after all,
both girls and boys have sensitive genitals...
and add their weight...? not me...!
(I think I remember being carried on my mom's hip
and how her belt was torture to me... til I forced myself down.)
I had a wrist leash for my toddler... which assured that he never went far from me when we set out
to the store or a walk through the zoo.
And every adventure... got instructions first.
If he wanted a balloon as if he was heartbroken, I'd say
"isn't it beautiful...! you can touch it but we can't buy that today, sweetie... so pretty...!"
I rarely said "no" to things he'd want to do... but... I tended to make sure that I mentioned
the dangers involved... which... made him not really want to do it... or... I spent some calming
minutes telling him HOW TO DO IT...
like... what to do if someone tries to steal your lunch money.
I never spanked him... it was all about learning dangers... not actually BEING
ONE OF THOSE DANGERS.
How does a child learn to trust you... if you don't show that you understand him...?
Anyway...
I posted this essay to talk about autism.
Reference:
key autism services blog on breastfeeding and autism
Only one of many resources on this topic
From this reference:
"Recent research indicates that breastfeeding may have a significant impact on the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), offering potential protective benefits. This article examines current scientific findings, biological mechanisms, and clinical implications of breastfeeding practices in relation to autism, providing a comprehensive overview for healthcare professionals, parents, and researchers."
"Numerous studies and meta-analyses have explored the possible protective effects of breastfeeding against autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A comprehensive meta-analysis, which combined data from seven observational studies involving a total of 3,270 children, found compelling evidence supporting this connection. The analysis revealed that children who were not breastfed had an 81% higher likelihood of developing ASD compared to those who were breastfed, with an odds ratio of 1.81 (95% CI, 1.35–2.27). Notably, the studies showed consistent findings, with no heterogeneity detected, indicating that the results were reliable across different populations and settings."
"Research indicates that breastfeeding can have a protective effect against the development of ASD, with longer durations linked to greater benefits. Studies show that children breastfed for 12 to 24 months experience the most significant reduction in ASD risk. Specifically, breastfeeding beyond 12 months can reduce ASD likelihood, with some data suggesting a 54% decrease when breastfeeding is extended for that period. Conversely, children who are not breastfed or are breastfed for shorter times face a higher risk. For example, not breastfeeding at all has been associated with an 81% increased odds of ASD."
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