No to early solids and liquids
Does breastfeeding space babies? The answer is “It depends.” Cultural breastfeeding? Not really. Ecological Breastfeeding? Yes. For mothers who would like the natural spacing of Ecological Breastfeeding, the first step is exclusive breastfeeding. When a mother provides all of her baby’s nourishment at her breasts and the greater part of her baby’s other sucking needs at her breasts, she will almost invariably experience the side effect of natural infertility. . That means that if mothers are interested in natural birth spacing, they need to be taught to nurse frequently, nursing during the night and during a short nap, and avoid bottles and pacifiers and mother-baby separation.
Research has shown repeatedly that introduction of early solids and liquids during the early months are associated with an early return of fertility. This was seen in the previous two blogs.
Witness: “This was the first baby exclusively breastfed for six months and also a baby-led weaning. The baby nursed very infrequently, but gained three pounds every month for the first six months except one month he gained four pounds. I am currently nursing our 17 month old without a return of my periods.”
No to pacifiers
Pacifiers are associated with an earlier return of menstruation. (European Journal o9f Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, June 2004). There are benefits to not using a pacifier: likely avoidance of thumb or finger sucking; better and earlier speech, better dental and facial development, emotional satisfaction from increased contact with the mother, more frequent nursing during the day and night, and longer duration of breastfeeding.
Witness: “My third child had always been a difficult nurser. I nursed him anytime he wanted. At 16 months we rid him of his pacifier, and nursing became a joy. From personal experience of nursing both culturally and ecologically, the difference is night and day for both baby and me. Ecological breastfeeding definitely made me feel closer to my baby.”
No to bottles
It is common today to hear of breastmilk-feeding mothers who only offer breast milk to their baby via pumping and using bottles. That is, the baby does not receive breast milk directly from the breast. Interestingly, there is new research which shows that direct breastfeeding is healthier than pumped breast milk given to the baby. “Indirect breastfeeding was associated with lower overall milk microbiota richness and diversity when compared with direct breastfeeding.” This research group also “found that modes of infant feeding other than direct breastfeeding—including breastfeeding with some pumped breastmilk—were less beneficial than direct breastfeeding in terms of the increased risk of asthma at 3 years of age.” (Cell Host & Microbe, February 13, 2019) The effects of pumping and suckling are not all the same. Bottles as well as pacifiers interfere with natural infertility.
Tomorrow: various breastfeeding recommendations for breastfeeding infertility
Sheila Kippley
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding