By Robin OBrien

Anyone who looks at a child sucking on a mothers breast knows that feeding is only part of the equation. When a child is sucking, its entire body relaxes and the childs expression is almost trance-like with pleasure and contentment. Its a though the child is getting a fix; but of the best and most healthy sort. Breastfeeding provides a child with emotional and psychological needs; it perks them up, it calms them down, it reassures, it takes away pain. To a child, drinking mothers milk is like that first cup of coffee in the morning, that sociable afternoon cup of tea, the martini after a hard days work.

John Bowlby, a pioneering researcher in personality development, noted that sucking serves two purposes. One purpose is nutritional, the other being attachment. This, he described is the complicated process in which a baby learns to interact and trust its mother, preparing itself for interacting with people she will meet in later life. He wrote and to suppose that nutrition is in some way of primary significance and that attachment is only secondary would be a mistake. In fact, far more time is spent in non-nutritional sucking than in nutritional.

As a child grows older the balance between nourishment and comfort goes through a 180 degrees turn. When first born, the focus is on nourishment; getting the mothers nutrients to grow strong and healthy. But as the child grows, breastfeeding is more about getting mothers comfort to grow mentally strong and healthy. In fact, when a child is fully weaned, breastfeeding isnt needed at all for nourishment. In can often seem strange for some people to think of a small child who has learnt to eat at the family table or raid the fridge all by themselves still going to mother for breastfeeding. Mothers who still breastfeed way passed their childs first birthday know only too well how important breastfeeding is for their childs psychological well-being. They know so because their children tell them! One of the great pleasures to a mother is when her child articulates what it means to them to be breastfeed. Children will often tell their mothers how delicious mothers milk is, or call mothers breast by some special name, or how mommys milk is so good they want their teddy bear to share it!

Some mothers are concerned that comfort nursing encourages their child to turn for food for comfort. But this isnt so. The child isnt turning to food for comfort but rather the physical comfort offered by mother: a child is learning to seek comfort and reassurance in people. When observing children who arent breastfeeding we see the same behaviour: a need for comfort being expressed through sucking. If a child doesnt have mothers breast to suck on it will find a replacement; a bottle, pacifier, thumb, hair, toy, blanket etc.

The next time you take your child to breast, look closely and observe the utter relaxation, contentment and trust your child has placed in you. By giving her your breast milk you are not only giving the nutrients she needs to thrive physically in her childhood, but the comfort she needs to thrive mentally and emotionally into her adulthood.

Robin OBrien is found of Breastfeeding Information.com, which helps mother with issues such as, how to stop breastfeeding and what breastfeeding bra is best.