Paula Crossett

Mrs. Suzanne Santos

FHS-1500
6/22/2016

OPTION B: MOTHERS AND FATHERS

Except for the birthing process and breast feeding, do you
think that a mother's position as a care giver of an infant or
child is biologically different from that of a father? Why?
What examples can you provide that support your answer?

A mother's relationship with their child is unique. Knowing

your body is creating a life is not only incredible but
alsomakes you realize with this comes a lot of
responsibility. The mother develops an emotional and
biological feeling, providing the basic ,but most important
care for the new born. Is through the mother that the
child , once is born, learns how to interact with the world,
understands its own existence, and emotions.
Beyond the obvious reasons why a mother and child

share such a strong bond, it is clear a mother is essential

in the first years of a childs life. The biological position of
a mother is very dierent than that of a father. Its a
necessity.
A mothers body becomes a fetuss home for 9 months
while he/she is going through changes and growing fast.
Nutrition is very important because the mother is not only
feeding herself now, she has another human growing
inside her who depends on her, and the nutrients she can
provide.
As far as the father goes , he has no part in this. All he
can do is support the mothers decisions on which foods
are best for her and her baby.
Going through the birthing process puts the womens
body under a lot of stress. Not only physically, but also

mentally. The father can help this situation by giving

support and care for the mother needs. Although there
are many changes that come with pregnancy, this doesnt
mean a womans body is not ready to give birth. Being a
mother of three beautiful children myself , it never ceases
to amaze me of how perfect , well design, our bodies are
to be prepared for the moment of birth.
Our biological position as mothers doesnt end there.
Once our child is born, we need to continue to make sure
all the right nutrients get into that childs body when we
breastfeed.
Nutrition stars with colostrum which is produced by the
mothers breast, its a high calorie fluid, higher in protein
concentration than in milk. Colostrum delivers its
nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a

mild laxative eect encouraging the passing of the babys

first stool. (Wikipedia, Colostrum, en.m.wikipedia.org).
After a few days the mothers breasts start producing
milk. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby
fight o viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your
babys risk of having asthma or allergies. Plus, babies who
are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without
any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illness,
and bouts of diarrhea. (Breastfeeding vs formula feeding .
kidshealth.org/breast_bottle_feeding).
There are benefits in breast-feeding, for the baby and for
the mother. For the baby some are: less infant illness,
including allergies, ear infections, upset stomach, better
childhood vision, stronger jaws, advanced breathing
reflexes, and many others. For the mother: easier bonding

with the baby, reduced risk of breast cancer and

osteoporosis, satisfaction of meeting infants basic needs,
etc.
As we can see , the baby needs the mother as much as
the mother needs the baby. There is a deeper connection
between these two, a dependency.
Therefore a mothers biological position is very dierent
from the fathers. The mother plays an essential role in the
childs first years of life. Of course the father is important
in helping raise this new human being, hes just not
required to be the source of livelihood for the child.
Close father-infant relationships can teach infants
(especially boys) appropriate expressions of emotions
(Boyce et al., 2006), particularly anger. The results may
endure: Teenagers are less likely to lash out at friends and

authorities if, as infants, they experienced a warm,

responsive relationship with their father (TrautmannVillalba et al., 2006). Close relationships with infants help
the men, too, reducing the risk of depression (Borke et al.,
2007; Bronte- Tinker et al., 2007).
There is no better thing for a child than to grow up with
both parents. A father-childs bond is also crucial to the
healthy development of a child.
The mothers role in the childs life is indispensable. Baby
and mom become one. The mother hurts when the baby
hurts, laughs when the baby laughs, cries when the baby
cries. Such an incredible connection, sometimes words
are not enough to describe it. The womans body is the
most perfect machine to create life. Im fortunate to have
had experienced giving birth to my children and there

hasnt been any feeling that has come close to the

greatness of creating a life inside my body.

References:
Online sources:
Wikipedia, Colostrum, en.m.wikipedia.org).
Breastfeeding vs formula feeding . kidshealth.org/
breast_bottle_feeding

Textbook:
Introduction to the life span. Second edition.
Chapter 3. The first two years: Body and mind.
Chapter 4. The first two years: Fathers as social partners.

Author: Kathleen Stassen Berger.