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Breastfeeding — An Evolutionary and Neuroendocrine Perspective

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Integrating Population Outcomes, Biological Mechanisms and Research Methods in the Study of Human Milk and Lactation

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 503))

Abstract

Breastfeeding (BF) is part of a complex spectrum of intimately related mother-infant interactions unfolding after delivery, serving energy economy, feeding, protection and attachment. It is hypothesized that these behaviors are partly genetically based, selected by evolution because of their survival value and that physical proximity promotes their expression and perception. With this hypothesis as a backbone it is possible to make a number of testable predictions about behaviours and reactions of mothers and newborns when cared for together and when separated. The results suggest that exposure to contexts contingencies that are evolutionary unexpected - such as separation, Caesarean section, stress in delivery rooms, neonatal and maternal wards - can create pathology, for example failure of BF. To promote BF, care in delivery units/maternal and neonatal wards should aim at a fit with the biology of mother/newborn and a strengthening of maternal selfconfidence, which seems to be fragile in many mothers. If we believe in the health benefits of breastmilk, it would be a first priority to improve the prerequisites for successful BF, by improving the conditions for mothers both at the hospital and the society level.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dpt of Paediatrics, Karolinska Hospital Q208, Stockholm, 17176, Sweden

    Jan Winberg

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  1. Jan Winberg
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Margarett K. Davis

  2. New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA

    Charles E. Isaacs

  3. University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden

    Lars Å. Hanson

  4. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Anne L. Wright

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© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Winberg, J. (2002). Breastfeeding — An Evolutionary and Neuroendocrine Perspective. In: Davis, M.K., Isaacs, C.E., Hanson, L.Å., Wright, A.L. (eds) Integrating Population Outcomes, Biological Mechanisms and Research Methods in the Study of Human Milk and Lactation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 503. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0559-4_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0559-4_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5132-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-0559-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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