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Added to these is an increased risk of type | diabetes because the majority of breastmilk substitutes are based on cow's milk, and research has long established a link between cow's milk consumption and type | diabetes. Added to these is an increased risk of type | diabetes _is as much for emotional as well as nutritional needs, as because the majority of breastmilk substitutes are based __ the toddler's process of individuation gradually unfolds on cow's milk, and research has long established a link and he grows in the realisation that he is a separate between cow's milk consumption and type | diabetes. individual who has control over his environment. These stages, during which the toddler grows into the mental Psychological Benefits Associated with Human Milk capability to recognise that objects have permanency The other aspect of this discussion, however, must — when out of sight (and therefore to accept the notion of concern itself with the psychological benefits that also | separateness), have also been defined by Piaget and occur when babies enjoy such an extended time with —_ labelled Object Constancy.” their mothers. It was Dr Niles Newton in the 1970s who Perusal of figure 2 makes these stages easier to grasp. was the first to suggest (in the lactation literature) that To my mind, Erik Erikson has elegantly defined man's breastfeeding imparts a psychological benefit to the journey with these eight stages, each governed by a neonate. She noted that such children develop into positive or a negative attribute. So, a normal, drug-free more "mature, secure and assertive" individuals.” physiologic birth, after which an infant is given the This is consistent with earlier space to search for the nipple observations made by Eri imself, offers the newborn a Erikson who, as a psychologist, valuable first lesson: if 1 identified two distinct stages in ...the infant who has his struggle, | will survive. Then, if a child's development.” Stage e has access to his mother's 1 lasts from birth to 18 months needs met and feels breastmilk throughout the next and is labelled Tris! vs Mists physically safe grows in our years, ne has t le best uring this developmenta ' chance, early on in his stage, the infant who has his confidence and comes to development, of becoming an needs met and feels physically trust his environment. autonomous and a trusting safe grows in confidence and individual, and this sets the comes to trust his environment. pattern for life and holds out As he begins to become the reward of self-actualisation. ambulatory, he then comes and However, more recently, other goes from his mother with confidence and a sense of _ pertinent observations regarding the psychological being in charge, which helps to minimise separation importance of the mother/baby dyad have been made by anxiety. Those toddlers who come to trust their | agroup of Swedish researchers” and followed up by Nils environment in this way then move easily into the next | Bergman, MD, who has named this unit a "single bio- stage. sociological organism".“ As a researcher, Dr Bergman Erikson described Stage 2 as lasting from 18 months as done much to promote the concept of the "kangaroo to three years, and he labelled it Autonomy vs Shame. mother-care" phenomenon, in which mother-infant During this second stage, the breastfed toddler further — skin-to-skin contact is the natural "habitat" for all grows in reassurance and confidence as he begins to —_ newborn babies and is the one that best promotes both explore his exciting new world with his newly acquired psychological and physiological development. Bergman motor and verbal skills. Breastfeeding during this stage | argues that removal from this habitat, which promotes physically safe grows in confidence and comes to in stage. Erikson described Stage 2 as lasting from 18 months to three years, and he labelled it Autonomy vs Shame. During this second stage, the breastfed toddler further grows in reassurance and confidence as he begins to explore his exciting new world with his newly acquired motor and verbal skills. Breastfeeding during this stage Figure 2 ERIK ERIKSON’S EIGHT EPIGENETIC STAGES OF MAN VIII Maturity/Old Age: (WISDOM) Ego Integrity vs Despair, Disgust VII Middle Adulthood: (CARE) Generativity vs Stagnation VI Young Adulthood: (LOVE) Intimacy vs Isolation V_ Puberty and Adolescence: (FIDELITY) Ego Identity vs Role Confusion IV School Age: Latency (COMPETENCY) Industry vs Inferiority Ill Play Age: Locomotor/Genital (PURPOSE) Initiative vs Guilt Il Early Childhood: Muscular/Anal (WILL POWER) Autonomy vs Shame, Doubt | Infancy: Oral/Sensory (HOPE) Basic Trust vs Mistrust Source: Adapted from diagram in Childhood and Society by Erik H. Erikson, 1963, reproduced in Personality Theories, L. A. Hjelle and D. J. Ziegler (editors), McGraw Hill Inc., Sydney, 1985, 2nd edition Figure 2 Initiative vs Guilt 38 * NEXUS ...the infant who has his needs met and feels trust his environment. ERIK ERIKSON’S EIGHT EPIGENETIC STAGES OF MAN VIII Maturity/Old Age: (WISDOM) VII Middle Adulthood: (CARE) Generativity vs Stagnation VI Young Adulthood: (LOVE) Intimacy vs Isolation Puberty and Adolescence: (FIDELITY) Ego Identity vs Role Confusion IV School Age: Latency (COMPETENCY) Industry vs Inferiority Play Age: Locomotor/Genital (PURPOSE) Early Childhood: Muscular/Anal (WILL POWER) Autonomy vs Shame, Doubt Infancy: Oral/Sensory (HOPE) Basic Trust vs Mistrust DECEMBER 2011 - JANUARY 2012 www.nexusmagazine.com