bonding
Jen is a very avid reader of the Mothering magazine’s discussion board, and one of the posts in the past month or so that she read to me upset both of us, but has been bothering me particularly much lately. In the post, a woman complains of her husband’s lack of support of her exclusively breastfeeding. If anybody doesn’t believe the benefits of exclusively breastfeeding then I’ll sick Jen on you. The American Association of Pediatrics recommends at least one year — the World Health Organization recommends at least two. Babies who aren’t exclusively breastfed are more likely to develop asthma, have poorer dental health, have lower IQs, and a few dozen other things.
This woman’s husband had a very selfish reason to want to move to formula: he wanted to feed the baby. Now I assure you, that’s a natural feeling, but grow up, dammit! This guy told his wife he wanted to be able to give the baby a bottle so he could bond with her (I believe it was a girl). So this guy thinks that the only way to bond with a baby is to feed her? No, let me tell you what I think.
American’s are obsessed with the Magic Pill. The Magic Pill is a simple, one-shot solution to a bigger problem. It never really exists. But we want it all the more, anyway. It’s such a strong cultural tendency to believe in a Magic Pill regardless of its improbability that advertising has picked up on this and has catered specifically to Magic Pill believers. They resort to small, illegible disclaimers so they don’t get in too much legal trouble.
Do you think you’re too fat? Here’s a Magic Pill. “I lost 250 lbs. with Leptoprin!”*Not a typical result. You results may vary.
Are you in too much debt? Here’s a Magic Pill. “I joined Debt Guard of America and my monthly payments dropped 95%!”*Not a typical result. Your results may vary.
Infomercials are, of course, the worst.
Do you need more money? Here’s a Magic Pill. “I started making money three days after starting the Start Your Own Internet Business program. Now I’m making $25,000 a month!”*Call our operators now and we’ll give you our new guide, How to Get Rich by Selling Get Rich Programs, absolutely free!
(they don’t even bother with disclaimers)
Although the true devils are spam. But can you blame the advertisers for resorting to these methods? They’re not selling products, they’re selling results. They’re selling the hope of having the very best results ever seen from the product.
And that’s what this guy’s problem was. He wasn’t willing to sit down and spent time with his daughter? He couldn’t cuddle her? Tickle her? Read her stories? Sing to her? WHAT A LAZY JERK! It’s very simple to bond with your baby. And it doesn’t involve taking away the healthiest, most beneficial part of her life.
Encouragement from thieves: “Go ahead, give it a try, it’s like taking candy from a baby.”
Encouragement from lazy-ass Magic Pill dads: “Go ahead, give it a try, it’s like taking breastmilk from a baby.”