Breast feeding...

While we all sat in the dining room having lunch I watched 10 month old M’s eyes light up as she watched her mother come through the front door.

“Hello” said child A

“Hello” said child G

“Hello girls how are you?”

Both responded “good”

M remained calm as she ogled her mother’s movements and got all wriggly moments before being picked up and cuddled. The affection the two showed for each other was greatly evident in the smiles and touches they had for each other. Mum took M and went and sat on one of our couches also positioned in the dining area and proceeded to breast feed M. There is a more private area also available, if preferred. During the 20-25 minutes mum spent feeding M, mum conversed with M, other teachers and children in a manner that was appropriately natural and comfortable for all. Children A and B also got up from their seats and went over to give M a gentle kiss and a quick rub before returning to their table.  Approximately 20-25 minutes later mum got up and told baby M that she loved her and that she would see her later on, kissed her and passed her over to teacher A, before returning to work.

The scene reflected a great homely sense of belonging for both mother and child and for other children who were present in the dining area. Te Whāriki suggests “The feeling of belonging, in the widest sense, contributes to inner well-being, security, and identity” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.  54). Gonzalez-Mena (2007) acknowledge the extensive benefits of breastfeeding for infants and I think it is a privilege that our children are able to experience this at our centre where it is seen and accepted as a natural, healthy and beneficial occurrence between a mother and child. However, Gonzalez-Mena (2007) also encourage that we as teacher’s, do “explain to preschool children that breast feeding is the normal and preferred way to feed babies and, emphasize that breast feeding contributes to a child’s and a mother’s well-being” (p. 91). I do see how this relates to biotechnology with regards to the development of physical and emotion well-being, supported through breast feeding and the milk itself.

It was also nice to observe how comfortable mum was with A and G approaching and showing their affection for M and that staff supported this. “Children’s strengths and interests are extended by sensitive interventions and encouragement” (Ministry of Education, 1996).