Researchers scrutinize the long-held perception that new mothers are more forgetful and less attentive. Mothers, they found, have similar alerting and orienting attention, and better executive control attention compared to women without children.
When parents are physically together, they have higher similar responses in prefrontal cortex activity to the sound of their infant crying than when they were physically separated.
Olfaction plays a role in signaling key dynamic changes in the mother-child relationship.
Researchers release new evidence-based recommendations regarding the benefits and risks for breastfeeding mother and infant co-sleeping. The study reports safe bedsharing is possible, and existing evidence does not support the conclusion that co-sleeping in breastfed infants increases the risk for SIDS in the absence of known hazards.
Positive interaction with direct eye contact between mother and infant enhances the ability to synchronize brain waves.
While there is a clear genetic link between young mothers and ADHD in their children, the association is not necessarily causal.
Greater maternal involvement upregulates the oxytocin system in their babies.
Genomic analysis reveals some of the neurogenomic dynamics closely resemble changes associated with pregnancy and reproduction in mammalian mothers.
The differences between each parents' stress and happiness may boil down to how, and when, childcare activities are split between the parties. Fathers tend to be less stressed and happier, especially if their childcare activities are more recreational. Maternal stress is higher, and happiness is lower, as they tend to provide more of the hands-on parenting.
Many pregnant women are turning to marijuana to help curb morning sickness during early pregnancy. A new study reports maternal marijuana use may be detrimental to the brain development of children. Exposure to THC in utero can cause learning and memory problems in children that may continue through adolescence.
Psychologists warn parental burnout needs to be taken more seriously by both partners and clinicians. A new study reveals burnt out parents experience escape ideations, and show an increased risk of neglect and violence toward their children. Supporting a parent experiencing burnout by letting them relax and avoid exhaustion reduces negative feelings and is also good for the children.
Breast milk may help train the circadian clock in young babies. The hormonal composition of breast milk changes throughout the day, with cortisol levels being higher in the morning and melatonin levels being higher at night.
