A New Insight on How the “Act of Feeding” also Influences the Brain Development
We have heard a lot about the positive impact of breast feeding not only on infant’s health but also on later IQ. Nutritionists have credited this to the magical mixture of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and immune factors. In fact, formula manufacturers have invested crores of money to investigate breast milk and replicate the same in formula. Thanks to them and their recent advances that parents can rest be assured that by bottle feeding, they won’t miss the chance to boost their little ones IQ.
You might be thinking, “What’s New in This?”
It’s the finding (parallel to the fact that breast milk boost intelligence), the way you feed your baby is equally important in his/her early brain development. Some striking differences between the ways breastfeeding and bottle feeding are done, may play a role in the potential wiring of baby’s brain. Let’s briefly look at both the nursing styles:
Breastfeeding: Mother offers left breast to her baby. Gazing each other for few minutes is followed by soft talk or whispers. Instinctively, mother holds baby’s left hand and massages it or kisses it. Baby’s hand is also free to explore. Note that all this is happening on baby’s left side of the body as right side is pressed against mothers. After some time, baby is switched to the right breast. The soft cuddle gets repeated but now on the right side of baby’s body.
Bottle feeding: While doing bottle feeding, most mothers have a preferred “side” on which they hold the baby (usually left), while holding the bottle in their dominant hand (usually the right). Since, mother’s both hands are busy, so there is hardly any opportunity for warm physical interaction with the infant. In addition, few parents ever switch sides.
How Does It Matter?
The brain’s two hemisphere (left & right) though have specific functions, but co-ordinate with each other for brain to function as a whole. This co-ordination is facilitated by a thick band of fibres located in the middle of the two hemispheres and is called as – Corpus Callosum. A well formed corpus callosum allows for better integration of the information from both the hemispheres.
Activities or experiences that lead to crossing of the centre of the body i.e. from left to right and vice versa, help in building a strong corpus callosum, (Recall the blog on Importance of Tracking Games on the same) thus, making brain functions more smooth and in turn leading to better learning of skills.
The breastfeeding infant is shifting eye gaze when first latched to left breast and then to right. Firstly, when offered the left breast, infant’s vision crosses the centre of body to have both eyes gaze at left and later when switched to right breast, again his/her vision crosses the centre of the body to gaze at right. Also, baby reaches alternatively his/her arms and hands across the body when feeding on each side to play with mom’s chin or necklace.
Keeping all these facts and findings in mind, parents who choose to bottle feed their babies should try and switch sides to have the equal benefit.
So, next time you feed (no matter how), I guarantee that you will surely think about corpus callosum! After all, “Big Impacts Are Made By Small Acts!”
Comentários