We continue with the interview with American anthropologist Kathy Dettwyler, which has already told us that the natural duration of human breastfeeding is between 2 and a half years and 7 years.
Today we will talk with Kathy Dettwyler, one of the world's leading specialists in breastfeeding anthropology, about the cultural aspects that influence breastfeeding.
To what extent is natural and to what extent is the duration of breastfeeding cultural?
The duration of breastfeeding can be 100% cultural, as in the case of those many children who never breastfeed but start from when they are born drinking artificial milk.
Are there many cultural variations regarding the duration of breastfeeding?
For example, in Mali, in the 1950s and 1970s, many children were allowed to breastfeed as much as they wanted, and many times breastfeeding lasted until 5 or 6 years. At some point before the early 80s, people decided that 2 years of breastfeeding was optimal, and most weaned their children between about 20 and 28 months. When I was there they warned me that if I continued to breastfeed my daughter Miranda after the age of 2 this would make her "dumb", but people also hinted that continued breastfeeding would prevent me from getting pregnant again with a child to my husband, and they considered it very important for me to have a son.Different cultural groups will have common or typical guidelines that many mothers will follow because they have been taught that it is better for the child.
Western culture, or rather, American culture, where you live, is different, right?
In the US even today, many people think that 6 months or a year of breastfeeding is enough, and people who breastfeed longer than that are considered very rare and, to some extent, rare. And this happens although the WHO has recommended since 1979 a minimum of 2 years of lactation, and since 1997 the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum of one year. Both groups of experts recommend continuing to breastfeed beyond the minimum limit until both mother and baby desire it.
Despite the cultural variations, his work points out, as he explained, that the natural duration of human breastfeeding would be between 2 and a half years and 7 years, refers to stop breastfeeding completely, right?
We must be very clear that when I use the term "weaning", I am talking about the end of breastfeeding, not about the process of gradually accustoming the child to eating solid food. When I use the term "weaning" I mean the end of breastfeeding.
How does breastfeeding normally develop in children who are not weaned for cultural reasons?
Most children will start eating solid food, if they are allowed, around 6 months of age, with variations of course. Upon reaching 2 or 3 years they will already be eating all kinds of solid food, in addition to continuing to breastfeed. And when they are 4 or 5 years old they will be sucking only once or twice a day, at most, usually just before falling asleep or just when they have just woken up. They may ask for more breast if they are sick, injured or stressed, but at this age most of their calories come from other foods.
He has just explained how my son's breastfeeding evolved. Can you explain to us what benefits breast milk provides even if your diet is based on other products as the child grows?
Breast milk still has all its wonderful ingredients, of course, including long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are necessary for proper brain growth, proteins, and of course many immune elements.
Is there a real problem that may occur if the child is allowed to wean at 5 or up to 7 years?
No. As the child grows, breast milk contains, in fact, a higher concentration of immune factors, so even just a little milk during the day or week can provide important support for the immune system of the boy. At the same time, it should be noted that there is very little research on the results of physical or emotional health of children who breastfeed after 2 years.In addition, there is no scientific evidence of any damage or problem caused by leaving the child to breastfeed as many years as he wishes.
Is there any connection between prolonged breastfeeding and peaceful cultures?
Unfortunately, no, I don't believe that. Even when children are fed with care and affection, they are allowed to breastfeed for several years and are transported in their arms, and they collect, they will find entire cultures (as well as specific individuals within these cultures) where violence is cultivated and encouraged, and people are very violent when they are adults.
Is violence natural, inevitable?
I do not believe that violence is necessarily "natural" in humans, but it can certainly be inoculated culturally through certain beliefs, certain child-rearing practices (such as competitive sports) and certain social structures.
Even where cultural values and attitudes are generally peaceful and children are not encouraged to compete or show aggression, there are many childhood experiences that increase the risk of a child becoming a violent adult.
What factors?
Some of these factors are: that the mother smokes during pregnancy, injuries and damage to the head or physical, verbal and emotional abuse during the child's early years of childhood. But even passive exposure to violence is enough (for example, that the father mistreats the mother and not directly the child) can lead to the child being more violent and aggressive. I would love to say that breastfeeding all children for several years would result in a generally more peaceful culture, but that does not seem to be the case, there are too many variables.
Tomorrow we will continue with the interview with anthropologist Kathy Dettwyler, and this time we will address practical questions: What to do to avoid involuntary weaning and let our child breastfeed for as long as he needs?
