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IQ, Intelligence, and Brain Development- Another Breastfeeding Benefit
Modern parents want to do everything they can to help their children's brain development. Never before have there been so many products and books sold that claim to help parents stimulate their baby's brain, assist in brain development, and give baby an intelligence "edge". Recently, a variety of studies have come to light that tout the benefits of breastfeeding on brain development and intelligence. What IS the connection between breastfeeding and intelligence? It comes down to a couple of important things, some of which are tangible and measurable, and some that are not. The Importance of Fats and Other Essential Nutrients Breastmilk contains the ideal ratio of fats, amino acids and other nutrients that baby needs for brain and nervous system development. These ingredients provide the ideal basis for the "hard-wiring" component of a person's intelligence. For instance, Taurine is an important amino acid found in high concentrations in mother's milk. (In contrast, it is almost nonexistent in cow's milk.) Taurine has an important role in the development of brain tissue, among other things. A baby's body is unable to form Taurine on its own, so s/he is totally reliant on his food to supply this. Another important ingredient of mom's milk are fats. Breastmilk contains high amounts of important fats, such as DHA and ARA. These are very important components of brain structures, and research has shown that breastfed infants have higher concentration of these essential fats in their brain and blood than do formula fed babies. Some artificial baby milk manufacturers are adding Taurine and DHA to their formulas, but this does not make these identical to mother's milk. Researchers have concluded that there is an important interplay between all of the components of breastmilk that cause this effect, and that this effect can't be duplicated. Cholesterol is another ingredient found in high concentrations in breastmilk. It is needed to build tissue in the brain and nervous system. Babies need cholesterol in the first two years of life. (Incidentally, there is evidence that points to a connection between cholesterol in breastmilk and the ability to handle dietery cholesterol in adulthood.) Studies comparing breastfed children and their formula fed peers in different ages and stages of life show time and again that breastfed infants do better on various tests of intellectual ability. Some have shown these differences persisting for many years. Even after the differences in socioeconomic status were accounted for or eliminated in these studies, breastfed children still clearly come out ahead. In fact, one study showed that premature infants who were breastfed had significantly higher IQs than formula fed babies, and when babies were fed a combination of breastmilk and formula, their cognitive scores were directly related to the amount of mother's milk they received. Hormones- Both Baby's and Mom's Mother's milk has a high level of endorphins in the first few days after birth. No doubt this helps the baby ease the transition to life outside the womb. When babies are stressed out, their tiny bodies are in "fight or flight" mode, and essential energy is directed away from growth and development, which would have an obvious effect on the brain. Additionally, a nursing Mom is biologically a different animal than a non-breastfeeding one. For instance, when a woman breastfeeds, her body is flooded with pleasure hormones, one of which is Oxytocin, the so called "love hormone", that is also present during orgasm. This hormone helps her to feel relaxed and bonded with her baby. Oxytocin triggers nurturing activity, which no doubt plays a huge role in baby's cognitive and emotional development. Since lactation suppresses the nervous system response to stressful stimuli, a happy nursing Mommy means a happy baby! What are some of the intangible benefits that breastfeeding has on brain development and IQ? Physical Closeness and Emotional Health In recent years a lot of emphasis has been put on "Emotional Intelligence". How does breastfeeding assist with helping a child develop this? The closeness of breastfeeding is an important bridge between baby's intrauterine life and his new experience of being out in the world. Studies have shown that babies who receive lots of closeness with their primary caregiver, and lots of stimulating eye contact and "conversation" are getting important brain stimulation that gadgets and toys cannot produce. That is not to say that a formula feeding Mother doesn't do this, but a breastfeeding baby can't help but have lots of skin to skin contact and interaction with his Mother! Breastfeeding also gives Mom a chance to reconnect with her busy crawling baby or walking toddler, who seems to spend all his time running from Mom. Having several quiet moments during the day to kiss those dimpled hands, sniff that sweet smelling head, and tickle those fat feet (that will be bigger than your own soon enough) is an important way for Mom and Baby to get that closeness. The late Dr. Lee Salk, pediatric psychologist, said that "The baby whose cries are answered now will later be the child confident enough to show his independence and curiosity. But the baby left to cry may develop a sense of isolation and distrust, and may turn inward...later in life, this child may continue to cope with stress by trying to shut out reality." The closeness of breastfeeding makes for a happier baby, one who is settled inside and who trusts that another human will be there to meet his needs, instead of an outside gadget. Don't we want our children learning this important lesson from infancy? Of course, breastfeeding does not automatically guarantee that a child will be smart, but it can be a way to guarantee that a child lives up to their full genetic potential for emotional intelligence, smarts and IQ! Carrie Lauth is a breastfeeding counselor who publishes a free newsletter for Moms doing things the natural way. You can get your copy plus extra subscriber goodies at http://www.natural-moms.com
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Alternative Medicine Choosing a Personalized Baby Gift Have you been invited to a baby shower or asked to be a godparent to a new arrival and have no idea what sort of gift to buy? Recently I was in a dilemma about buying presents for newborn twins. My first instinct was to buy identical gifts, but I suddenly realised that these were two individuals who should be encouraged to recognise their own unique personalities. I decided the answer was to buy personalized gifts that the children would see as their own when they grew older. Potty Training After a Divorce or Separation Many parents share custody of their children, which presents a unique problem when it comes to potty training. It's best to discuss potty training and agree on a strategy before you start. Both parents need to be informed about potty training and have the necessary potty training aids. Moses Baby Baskets Moses Baby Baskets are a traditional, convenient place for babies especially for one who cannot sit up or cannot push itself up on its hands and knees. Modern moses baby baskets are distinct improvements over conventional ones. The fabric is made of 100 percent cotton, designed for the perfect safety and comfort of the baby. Ideally the mattress is designed in such a way that it is convenient to remove it before giving it to the laundry. The same goes for the moses basket bumper inserts also. The mattress and bumper inserts could be made of polyesters. Wash the moses basket mattress by hand in mild detergent and warm water. Dressing A Toddler, Whomever She Is Today Some things we take for granted. Like getting dressed. Unless we are paraplegic, an absolute klutz or have just smoked far too much cabbage, getting dressed is a cinch. A Surprise Baby Shower Can Be the Perfect Way to Celebrate Throwing a surprise baby shower doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fun for all involved. All it takes is a little patience, a few basic steps, and the cooperation of friends and family. Baby Shower Games to Make Your Baby Shower Exciting The perfect way to spoil the baby shower games is when there is less involvement and participation from your guests. Have you ever been to a baby shower party, any kind of party, and been bored to death? Well, I have, and let me tell you, they are as boring as they get. Introducing Your New Baby to Your Pet Having a child is a life altering event for you and your family. If you own a pet and are concerned about how your pet will respond to the bringing home of a little bundle of joy, then you are not alone. Hundreds of thousands of new families each year have to deal with how their pet might respond to the new baby. If you have a small child or are expecting in the near future you may have many questions such as, what if my pet gets jealous, what if he or she bites the baby, how do I get my pet used to the new baby, and vice versa? Potty Training Dolls - Why Use a Potty Training Doll to Assist in Potty Training Your Child? The idea of using potty dolls to potty train toddlers has been around for some 30 years. Many parents (including myself) have successfully potty trained their children using a potty training doll. The Character Traits of a Scorpio Baby Your Scorpio Baby.. Reading to Children Are We Doing It Right? Setting the Stage - Reading is One of the Big Boosts to Life: A Babys Sleeping Pattern Sleeping.. How to Make Your Own Baby Food and Save a Fortune! Baby in a highchair, mom in front with a small spoon and a jar of baby food. It looks like something right out of a parenting magazine, and it's a scene that is played out several times a day in the majority of homes with small babies. Unfortunately, it's also a powerful marketing image that can cost a family a great deal of money in the long run. How To Stop Toddlers From Biting It is an unfortunate fact of life but, unfortunately, toddlers and biting frequently go together. It is a painful time for both the toddler and their parents and trying to stop the toddler from biting can be quite a challenge. Potty Training Resistance - Is Your Child Resisting Your Potty Training Efforts? Potty Training Resistance Why You Need to Teach Your Baby How To Swim Many parents are discovering the art of teaching their baby to swim. Not only is it fun for your baby to swim, bond with you, and play with other babies, it is a great way for you to interact with other parents as well. Car Seats and Newborn Babies I remember very clearly the first day we brought our oldest daughter home from the hospital. Lucky for me my husband is a car seat technician, so I had no worries that we had installed our Graco infant carrier correctly. Interestingly, my husband procrastinated installing the seat until the day I was scheduled to go in for my induction (my baby was a week overdue). Baby Shower Food Items Baby shower food items are one of the most important features of the baby shower. When guests arrive at a baby shower they are expecting food that includes desserts, appetizers, and baby shower finger food. You don't really have to plan an entire meal, it isn't really expected at this kind of event. What Happens When During the Baby Shower? To be precise, anything can happen anytime as long as everyone enjoys it. There is no right way or wrong way-anything goes well. But the idea should be to make everyone comfortable and make the mom-to-be feel proud and happy at her shower. IQ, Intelligence, and Brain Development- Another Breastfeeding Benefit Modern parents want to do everything they can to help their children's brain development. Never before have there been so many products and books sold that claim to help parents stimulate their baby's brain, assist in brain development, and give baby an intelligence "edge". The Top Diaper Bags for Stylish and Savvy Moms Forget bears and bunnies. Today's diaper bags are all about mom and her needs: The need to be organized. The need to feel stylish. The need to have daddy lug the thing around once in awhile.
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