Roberta Ricotti

It takes an entire village to raise a child.

Roberta Ricotti, of Valsesian origins, has been a pediatrician and mother for three months. His professional career was strongly marked by a field experience gained in Nicaragua where he had the opportunity to observe and operate in a "world of children" which, although lacking in economic resources and assistance, has kept the elements of spontaneity alive and well present. and naturalness that characterize the relationship with children.

The choice for breastfeeding, once she became a mother, was completely natural and consistent with what she had studied and experienced during her first steps as a doctor. Roberta believes that our culture is not ready and mature for natural breastfeeding: if in words and in scientific publications it is considered the best method to feed our children, in fact it is often opposed. A real supportive and cohesive ecosystem must be created around the mother to support her on this path.

"It takes a whole village to raise a child," Roberta says, recalling an African saying, underlining how our society is studded with false myths, such as super mothers who show themselves invincible through social media. On the contrary, the path of a new mother, full of obstacles, requires a lot of solidarity and assistance, much more than she herself expected before becoming a mother. An aspect that Roberta herself had not recognized before facing it in first person and that she thus became part of her professional background.

A reflection of particular interest is the one that Dr. Ricotti addresses to the theme of time: we must forget about the time measured by the scanning of a clock. Our time becomes that of our child and so everything flows without fatigue and obstacles.

Video table of contents

  1. The choice of the pediatric clinic and the experience in Nicaragua are conditioned by the love for children.
  2. I didn't choose breastfeeding, it was a "natural" choice.
  3. Our culture is not ready for breastfeeding.
  4. The difference between a mother in Nicaragua and one in Italy: we have lost the spontaneity of an act that allowed us to grow.
  5. My work as a pediatrician and my midwife friend helped me a lot as a mother.
  6. Raising a child takes an entire village: the illusion of "super mothers" and the false myths of social media.
  7. The pain in breastfeeding is to be considered especially at the beginning.
  8. My son's hunger signs.
  9. Aids in breastfeeding.
  10. Obstacles in breastfeeding. The concept of time being redefined.
  11. The sense of modesty about breastfeeding in a public place has changed over time for me. Breastfeeding is now partly cleared through customs.
  12. The many values of the breast: in breastfeeding that of nutrition should prevail.
  13. In the beginning it was my husband who preferred to find little places for breastfeeding, I don't care anymore.
  14. There is good talk of breastfeeding but it scratches badly. There is a lack of social policies and services in the workplace. Breastfeeding has no definite beginning or end.
  15. Mothers who choose not to breastfeed are not to be judged. The mother's discomfort is reflected in the baby.
  16. I would nurse another baby if there was a need. But it would seem to me to take away a part of affection from another mother. I would be jealous.
  17. The mother in me would like to breastfeed as long as she can but I don't see myself breastfeeding at two or three years old. We will see...
  18. The state of mind for the success of breastfeeding is fundamental. This is why it is important to have a group of people who support mothers.
  19. When I breastfeed I don't think, the beauty is also in this!
  20. My son's look on his mom is beautiful.

Interview information

Geographic information

Country: IT

Region: Piemonte

City: Novara

People

Roberta Ricotti

Date of birth: 11-29-1985
City: Varallo Sesia
School: University
Profession: Farmer
Languages: Italiano

Document by: Luca Ghiardo
Video by: Luca Ghiardo, Davide Porporato
Created: 14-09-2022

Questo video fa parte del seguente archivio
Breastfeeding: forms and practices of humanity

Breastfeeding: forms and practices of humanity

Breastfeeding is unanimously recognized by the main world health authorities as a fundamental health protection in the short, medium and long term for both the baby and the mother, offering biological, nutritional, emotional, relational and economic benefits.

The most important international scientific societies recommend giving the baby only breast milk for the first six months of life and subsequently accompanying the introduction of other foods with breastfeeding at least for the entire first year of the baby's life, but also up to two years and over if mother and child so wish.

This archive contains some testimonies of mothers and midwives aimed at deepening this theme by offering points of view anchored to individual experiences and sensitivities.

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