oxytocin (was Re: Milk was another weird fasting poop

[Guest guest]

José-,

>But perhaps the quintessential mammal hormone is oxytocin. A muscle

>contractor, oxytocin (from the Greek for " swift birth " ) evolved in

>mammals and produces the uterine contractions of birth and milk

>ejection during lactation. Present when the mother first greets her

>emerging offspring, it continues to be released whenever she nurses.

>Oxytocin released into the brain is known to promote calming and

>positive social behaviors, such as pair bonding. Studies of domestic

>sheep by Barry Keverne, Kendrick, and their colleagues at the

>University of Cambridge provide the most complete picture we have of

>the behavioral effects of oxytocin. As a lamb moves down the birth

>canal, nerves stimulated during the passage trigger the release of

>oxytocin in the mother's nervous system. Only if oxytocin is present

>at birth or injected so that it reaches the brain at the same time a

>mother meets her newborn, will she bond with her offspring. If

>release of oxytocin is blocked, the ewe rejects her lamb. High levels

>of oxytocin also are found in mother's milk, raising the possibility

>that this hormone plays a role in making the mother infant attachment

>mutual.

>

Within the first two weeks of giving birth each time (although mine were

by c-section, perhaps a good thing given their big size ;-) ), I can

remember that nursing would provoke noticeable uterine contractions. Of

course, the uterus gets so big for the growing fetus, so it was a weird

feeling. And it is true that after nursing for the first time, my

personality changed forever - I became a mother. It is hard to describe

this profound change.

Deanna

[Guest guest]

Hi Deanna:

Yes, being a mother - that's a physical experience a man can never have

of course. Being a father belongs more to the mental or social sphere.

Well, we have all been talking about mother's milk and formula, the

upsides and downsides of each, but we have almost forgotten the

question of bonding between mother and child. Not that it happens only

through breastfeeding, but possibly that´s the best environment for it.

Cheers,

JC

....

> And it is true that after nursing for the first time, my

> personality changed forever - I became a mother. It is hard to

describe

> this profound change.

>

>

> Deanna

[Guest guest]

Hello José-,

>Yes, being a mother - that's a physical experience a man can never have

>of course. Being a father belongs more to the mental or social sphere.

>

>

Now now, men are important too. And they physically experience a child

too, only yes, it is different. I am sure you hug your child and

provide much comfort. And physically, well, it takes two to tango, as

they say! Don't you change some when your wife is expecting and caring

for a newborn?

>Well, we have all been talking about mother's milk and formula, the

>upsides and downsides of each, but we have almost forgotten the

>question of bonding between mother and child. Not that it happens only

>through breastfeeding, but possibly that´s the best environment for it.

>

>

I think sleeping with the baby is very important as well. It makes

night feedings so convenient. All mammals sleep with their young.

Bonding is important. I also think that being there for the child for

years is best, whenever possible. We must consider the entire lifestyle

when we speak of health. Nutrition is important, but so is exercise,

laughter, family and community. How much of what health Weston Price

found in his natives relates to factors other than straight nutrients in

this combination and that quantity? I don't think life can simply be

reduced to nutrients and toxins.

Deanna

[Guest guest]

On 8/25/05, Deanna Wagner <hl@...> wrote:

> I think sleeping with the baby is very important as well.

Couldn't that be dangerous? How do you prevent, say, rolling over on the baby?

Chris

--

Want the other side of the cholesterol story?

Find out what your doctor isn't telling you:

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com

[Guest guest]

> Couldn't that be dangerous? How do you prevent, say, rolling over on

> the baby?

Pretty much in all documented cases of babies being smothered in that

way the parent(s) were incapacitated in some way--drugs or alcohol. I

ALWAYS knew where the baby was in the bed even when I was sound asleep,

and I'll say this too: Once the baby reaches six months of age it'll

punch you if you get too much into its space, or at least mine did! If

you're super concerned, you can get a co-sleeper bed attachment that

puts the baby right by you but in its own separate little sleeping

space.

It doesn't work for every family but it worked for ours. My youngest

(4) still hops in bed early in the morning with us but goes to sleep in

her own room. And I will treasure the memories of sleeping with my tiny

girls forever--some of my fondest in life.

Lynn S.

------

Lynn Siprelle * web developer, writer, mama, fiber junky

http://www.siprelle.com * http://www.thenewhomemaker.com

http://www.deanspeaksforme.com * http://www.knitting911.net

[Guest guest]

A mother who is not under the influence of drugs/alcohol will not roll over

on her baby. Neither would most fathers. The bigger issues is rolling off

from high beds but a very easy solution is to put the matress on the floor.

Co-sleeping is very important with young babies as it promotes bonding,

facilitates nighttime nursing and helps to regulate an infants

breathing/heart rate. The rate of SIDS is dramatically decreased by

co-sleeping.

Here is a couple of good articles on co-sleeping

http://www.drjaygordon.com/ap/cosleeping.htm

http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/sleep/small.html

-----Original Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Masterjohn

Couldn't that be dangerous? How do you prevent, say, rolling over on the

baby?

Chris

[Guest guest]

Stump wrote:

> A mother who is not under the influence of drugs/alcohol will not roll

> over

> on her baby. Neither would most fathers. The bigger issues is

> rolling off

> from high beds but a very easy solution is to put the matress on the

> floor.

I co-slept with my baby for a long time. She kept putting her arm UNDER

me while I slept, but apparently she liked it, and it didn't hurt her. But

my " sleeping mind " seemed to have an amazing ability to protect her.

One evening I fell asleep in a chair, holding her on the arm of the chair.

Next morning I was in the same position ... my arm was sore as all

getout but I never dropped her!

She had to get out of the bed though when she started kicking.

Man could that girl kick! She didn't kick me though, she kicked

Dad, and that was the end of co-sleeping.

-- Heidi