Mother-Infant Bonding: A Scientific Fiction

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK!
Review: DR. EYER DID A WONDERFUL JOB. SHE PUT THE INFORMATION IN THE HUMAN LANGUAGE AND THE READING FLOWED WITH EASE. ONCE I STARTED TO READ IT, I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF "WHAT DO MOST EXPERTS SAY ABOUT BONDING"? NO IT'S NOT TRUE. DR. EYER IS ON THE BALL AND I HOPE SHE CONTINUES TO DO RESEARCH IN THIS FIELD.

Rating:
Summary: Bonding - No Fiction
Review: Eyer builds a very strong case against scientific studies that use the word "bonding" regarding a critical period immediately following the birth of a child when a new mother will either accept or reject her infant, thereby affecting the child's entire life. It gives any woman who's been separated involuntarily from her infant hope that she may still form an attachment with her baby. It seems that the author is trying to help alleviate mothers of guilt when they choose or need to be apart from their infants.

This book, however, barely addresses breastfeeding and its integral link (or bond, if you will) between mother and child. Breastfeeding builds an overwhelmingly intense relationship with an infant from a few minutes after birth that continues into later life. In the case of exclusive breastfeeding, there is no question when it comes to the word "bonding." For a breastfeeding mother, no science will ever convince her that bonding is a fiction, nor will science ever convince her that being apart from her infant is okay to do.

I highly recommend reading this book, though remaining critical of it regarding your own interests.