Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Rock-a-bye-baby



Physiological impact of maternal carrying behaviors across species.

Image credit: (Clockwise From Top Right) Ken Yuel; Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian National Zoo; Senthil Palaniappun; Manfred Ebert).













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:

No comments:

Post a Comment