Cultural Observations

(First the disclaimer: the intent of any of the writing is not to insult anyone, and if there is some insulting happening anyway, then I admit I am culturally ignorant and insensitive. I am just making observations. This disclaimer provided by acclimatization in the US legal culture - and having friends from different cultures making me understand that things really can be different.)

Emilia is doing great, except for some diaper rash. I do not have too many new cool things to report. I have to think of something else to get you my dear readers to get back to the blog again and again...

Then, let's talk breast feeding. Funny thing.

In Finland, breast feeding is given. Of course everyone breast feeds. Of course everyone knows it is good for the baby. Of course. Simplest thing in the world. Formula is the choice only when it is absolutely mandatory. No need to discuss more. Clear as water.

In US it is different. There is a very strong education, shall we say push, in the hospitals and everywhere (including my fathering books) to try to get people to breast feed. There are breast feeding classes and lactation consultants in the hospital (the one we met was quite aggressive, actually...). Same benefits, same recommendations as in Finland. The outcome: 64% initiate breast feeding, 29% still breast feed 6 months after birth. I think in Finland it is close to 100% and close to 100%...

Why? Obviously, the ridiculously short maternity leaves and lack of benefits are a cause. If you must go to work, breast feeding is easily a no go. This is absolutely a reason. But still, why is the mother we met at Emilia's doctor's office feeding her 1 month old son formula - when she clearly is not working or anything? A very large part of new mothers stay home in this country, giving up their work to care for their children, at least for several years. Much more so than in Finland. Why do not these people breast feed? Maria told me that out of the 3 people in her breast feeding class in the hospital two had already given formula to the baby. First day.

People here in general do not believe authorities. That is a general trend. Finnish people are much more sheepish in believing what they are told. That is one explanation. Whatever the hospital tells, I'll just do whatever I please. I also think that unfortunately some people may be just plain lazy, or maybe selfish. Breast feeding is hard work. Sad thought. Even more sad is the thought of the effect of commercialism. People are on average a little bit less educated, little less sure of themselves, maybe. Then on top of that come the billion dollar formula businesses of the consumer goods companies, and their marketing departments - world's best marketing departments, no doubt.

But what do I know. I am a man. I do not need to do all this stuff. At some point I am able to conribute with a bottle. Until then, I am delegated to the diaper regiment only - i.e., the output department, not input.

Interestingly, I started thinking of the big difference in another context. In the hospital there was a big thing that everyone had to see a video about the shaken baby syndrome. We had to sign papers saying that we had watched the video and understood it - or then sign and explain why we chose not to watch it, seriously. Now, I was thinking this is way stupid. Of course I know about shaken baby syndrome, of course I know that you can't shake the baby. Why am I forced to watch this video? Then I heard of people who say they were so grateful that they saw this, as they believe they might just well have shaken the baby in their ignorance when times got rough. So people here do not know of this thing. That makes the video extremely important. But at least I knew way back when. Why the difference? My thoughts: the difference in the basic level of education definately has an effect, but even more importantly, people just happen to hear randomly such beneficial things more often in Finland. Maybe it is a function of having less TV channels... you just can't avoid hearing something useful every now and then. Or about a more open culture discussing such things like pregnancy and child rearing. And breast feeding.