Physiological impact of maternal carrying behaviors across
species.
Neurobiologists have done a study linking rocking a human baby
and animals carrying their young by the scruff of the neck. In humans and in
young animals across species, this seems to have the same physiological affect.
Researchers state that “The findings may lead to better parenting techniques
for people and possibly to new ways to detect developmental disorders early in
life” (Science, 2013).
Studies show that carrying a newborn while walking had the same
effect as an animal holding the animal by the scruff of the neck. This activity
produced three responses—cessation of crying, passivity, and a decreased heart
rate. The very same was true for mice tested.
Testing revealed that those infants left in cribs were the
fussiest. Those held and rocked in a sitting position were in the middle. When
the mother started walking, within 2-3 seconds the crying and squirming, along
with lower pulse rates occurred. Posture and balance come into play when held
this way.
Implications for things such as autism or other developmental
disorders are now being reviewed as a result of this study.
To read more, see the reference below.
Reference:
Science, 2013. Online. Available at: http://news.sciencemag.org/evolution/2013/04/how-rocking-baby-mouth-carrying-mouse-pup
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