Protecting birth is protecting families

International Week for Respected Childbirth

May is the month in which the International Week for Respected Childbirth is ‘celebrated’. It was a few weeks ago, and the theme for this year is “Protecting births is protecting families”.

And it really is. Protecting birth is protecting their entering into this world, is giving them a warm and loving welcome. Protecting birth is protecting the bond between the child and the mother.

A birth where the woman feels respected and empowered, and where the natural processes are respected as well, is the best way to promote attachment and bonding in the immediate postpartum.

Of course, having had a good birth does not guarantee a smooth postpartum or an immediate bond between parent and child (but numbers have shown that it does indeed help).

Don’t get me wrong. If things don’t go well, you can still work on the bond later. I’ve been there! nothing is written in stone and every day you get the chance to rewrite your story and your relationship with your child.

But wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t need to start uphill?

Some finishing thoughts about attachment

Here is one last thought about bonds and attachment that I wanted to share: both breastfeeding and babywearing are two amazing ways to promote them.

Are they “natural”? yes, on a sense, they are. As a species we are programmed to nurse and carry our children.

But does it mean that they *come* naturally to everyone, that are automatic and easy? The answer is no. Not in this society where we are disconnected from our roots, where we have no support.

So if you struggle with breasfeeding, and you want to breasfeed, get help. If you struggle with babywearing, and you want to carry your kid, get help. You won’t regret it!

And as a side note, remember that is never too late to work in your bond, they are never too old to be carried and snuggled and nursed as long as you both want to. It’s your decision.

As Lucy Weber always says, no one ever regrets having loved their kids too much.