The Window of Opportunity
A newborn, you might think, exhausted from the birth, would be ready for an attempted nursing but would rather fall into a deep sleep. Some know that nursing in the first hour is critical but also that during the last trimester have stored up a layer of fat especially since that colostrum comes in such small amounts and the mature milk doesn't come in for a few days.
I have witnessed a newborn crawl with amazing strength and determination from his mother's belly to find and latch on to the breast completely unaided. If you catch the window of opportunity the baby will actively nurse for a long time...not just an attempt. Imagine that baby's advantage in receiving more than just a belly full of colostrum. Colostrum is the liquid gold that is not only full of antibodies and a laxitive for bilirubins, but also carries the critical flora needed for coating the intestines.
I have a particular interest in babies....(other than my own since they've grown). I've been a La Leche League leader since 1995 and I help moms who call in desparation, in tears! La Leche League offers information and support to moms who choose to breastfeed their babies. LLL is not about telling any mom what they should or should not do...we want to support them in their choices. La Leche League, International is the world authority on breastfeeding and by being a leader I am connected to information to help mothers in many different situations regarding breastfeeding.
A few years ago I attended an area conference for LLL and heard a presenter explain how the mother, gazing lovingly into the newborn's eyes, would cause hormones to be released that promote the production of breastmilk. We were encouraged to include information about that loving gaze in explaining breastfeeding to mothers.
Recently I came across more information about that loving gaze in that first hour after birth. It's really a critical brain growth moment. When a baby is just born they are amazingly alert. If they are given what they naturally crave, the mother's loving gaze, their brain turns on! They turn on in a way that causes them to be so alert to visual stimulation from that point on. They study everything that comes into they periferal vision especially if it's a face. The more of the mother's face they see, the more development happens in the limbic system of the brain and less has to take place in the hind brain. The hind brain deals with survival issues and usually involves stress hormones like cortisol. Cortisol is not optimal for brain growth.
I have witnessed a newborn crawl with amazing strength and determination from his mother's belly to find and latch on to the breast completely unaided. If you catch the window of opportunity the baby will actively nurse for a long time...not just an attempt. Imagine that baby's advantage in receiving more than just a belly full of colostrum. Colostrum is the liquid gold that is not only full of antibodies and a laxitive for bilirubins, but also carries the critical flora needed for coating the intestines.
I have a particular interest in babies....(other than my own since they've grown). I've been a La Leche League leader since 1995 and I help moms who call in desparation, in tears! La Leche League offers information and support to moms who choose to breastfeed their babies. LLL is not about telling any mom what they should or should not do...we want to support them in their choices. La Leche League, International is the world authority on breastfeeding and by being a leader I am connected to information to help mothers in many different situations regarding breastfeeding.
A few years ago I attended an area conference for LLL and heard a presenter explain how the mother, gazing lovingly into the newborn's eyes, would cause hormones to be released that promote the production of breastmilk. We were encouraged to include information about that loving gaze in explaining breastfeeding to mothers.
Recently I came across more information about that loving gaze in that first hour after birth. It's really a critical brain growth moment. When a baby is just born they are amazingly alert. If they are given what they naturally crave, the mother's loving gaze, their brain turns on! They turn on in a way that causes them to be so alert to visual stimulation from that point on. They study everything that comes into they periferal vision especially if it's a face. The more of the mother's face they see, the more development happens in the limbic system of the brain and less has to take place in the hind brain. The hind brain deals with survival issues and usually involves stress hormones like cortisol. Cortisol is not optimal for brain growth.
I love the Kindermusik Village class. There are so many golden moments of eye to eye contact. Precious! Precious in so many ways but to me I treasure the brain growth happening right before my very eyes! As we say: Kindermusik....a good beginning never ends.
So happy mothers day to brand new mothers this year. Kindermusik of Holland is offering 5 weeks of Village class TUITION FREE to babies under 5 months old. (Materials are not included.) That means you can take an entire summer session with your infant tuition free!
Let's take advantage of this window of opportunity!
Are you going to tell your friends?
Peace,
Yvette Odell
No comments:
Post a Comment