Mother's instinct!

As I watched this calf feeding on her mother, I was fascinated with the mother's still posture. She stayed available to the calf through that period of fifteen minutes. This is most similar to what a mother would do during her breast feeding time with her baby!

The mother remains available exclusively for her offspring during the feeding time!

Hurry is the enemy of availability!

Let me complement the recent worldwide advocacy initiatives to promote breast feeding practices as long it is possible for the mother to feed, at least till the baby is 18 months of age! There are several advantages of breast feeding.

One emotional advantage is availability of the mother which then creates the strands that weave the fabric of bonding between the mother and the baby! This calls for emotional presence while breast feeding beyond just the physical presence. Can we encourage a mother  to stay focussed on thinking, feeling and inwardly relating to the baby during breast feeding rather than being distracted by watching the TV, listening to music or engaging in conversation! The breast feeding time is a private time between the mother and the baby which needs to be protected from other distractions. In fact when the mother stays looking at the baby and stroking while feeding, there is evidence to suggest that baby receives more milk and mother returns from the breast feeding time emotional refreshed!   

Being available is a mother's natural instinct! Let us affirm its value and highlight its lasting impact!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)