Hacker News Reader

Comment by dragonwriter | Hacker News Reader

> After all, there are certain things like breastfeeding

Mother's can and do express milk to be fed to babies in bottles; the fact that a baby is on breastmilk doesn't require the mother to be with them 24/7, and formula is a thing that exists.

What other things are there?

View on HN

I would assume that there is some kind of maternal bond, so that it would be best for the mother to primarily be exposed to the newborn at least in the first 6-12 months. I doubt sucking on a plastic bottle would assist with the maternal bond. What do you think?

I think this is why evolution gave men nipples.

It does, though. A lot of skin-to-skin contact is vital for new babies. Both parents should have lots of skin-to-skin contact, face time, and direct caregiving exposure with baby.

The method of milk delivery is not as important as being with the baby.

Funny when you are on paternity leave and the with your baby 24seven you develop a similar bond. Oh and babies love bottles nearly as much as breasts. (I think breastfeeding is really important in the first few months important and mine was 100% breastfed until 5 months but towards the end of the first year the benefits in a country with clean drinking water are minimal.)

Formula that adjusts formulation every day by detecting the chemical balance of the baby during nursing does not exist yet (ever? It’s an interesting biology challenge).

I dont think a lot of people claim that the mother isnt most important for, at the very leasy, the first 6 months and up to 12 months. I took my leave at about 14-15 months age, and that was more or less perfect in my mind.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com