[ad_1]
When it comes to child development, it really is all about the brain. The brain controls everything in the body, and it is an organ that is working overtime. This fact doesn’t change with age, but it can be said that it is working overtime in infancy, and even in pregnancy.
The brain is a complex organ, and there is only so much that the experts know about it, but what they do know is fascinating. Even looking at a baby that has not even been born yet, you know the brain is rapidly developing. It is telling the rest of the body to develop, and it is growing connections almost every minute.
It continues after birth, and while it will be a while before it is completely done, there are some big developments that happen from conception until your baby is a toddler. Understanding how the brain develops can help parents understand their baby a bit more.
We are going to take a deeper look at brain development, what happens and what it means for your little baby. That sweet, seemingly innocent, baby you are holding has a lot going on behind those pretty eyes.
How The Brain Works (In A Nutshell)
To first understand how the brain works, we have to take a quick look at biology. According to Virtue Baby, a brain works by processing information by forming networks of specialized nerve cells, and these are called neurons. These neurons send messages throughout the entire body and the messages are sent by synapses. There are gaps between the neurons when a baby is born, and the synapses are what get those messages across from neuron to neuron.
When a baby is born, the gap between neurons is very wide, but as they near their first birthday, these gaps fill in making it easier for the brain to send messages.
Gestation Development
When we welcome our baby into the world, their brain is already 8 months old. According to New Scientist, the brain starts to develop at just four weeks gestation, and it doesn’t slow down. The neural tube forms first, and then it will grow to develop the rest of the brain. What a mother does during pregnancy can impact the brain development of the fetus.
There is a reason why medical providers are so clear with pregnant women about how to care for themselves at the beginning of pregnancy. They are told to try and eliminate stress, eat well, and stay away from toxins. That is because brain development can be hindered by all of these things.
In the first two trimesters of pregnancy, the brain is busy putting all the building blocks together. It is growing neurons and making sure connections are being made. It is easy to see taking care of a pregnant woman is so important, and that is because her body is helping to grow a whole other brain.
Environment Matters
As we stated earlier, since the wiring of the brain is not complete when a baby is born, they are being influenced by what is happening around them. According to Caring For Kids, the activities that are going on around a baby can shape their brain development.
Negative experiences can change how their brain develops. Positive interactions, like reading, playing, and bonding with a parent, can also change the way the brain develops. It is clear which one results in positive changes, and why parents are encouraged to make sure their infant is in the best environment.
What Does The Brain Need?
Even though at two years old the brain is not done developing, it has come a long way since the baby was in the womb. However, it still needs to be nurtured, and there are some things that parents can do to make sure their baby’s brain has everything that it needs.
It starts with making sure they have the right food. Breast milk is the optimal choice for infants, but formula is fortified to be just as beneficial. When they start solid foods, it is important that mom and dad make wise choices that are going to help their brain grow, foods that are rich in iron will help.
Relationships are also vital for infants and toddlers, and they can help encourage good development of the brain. When your baby is in an environment where they feel safe, nurtured, and loved, their brain has the time and comfort to develop. It encourages development and allows the baby to relax so that the brain can focus on positive growth instead of protection against elements.
Sources: New Scientist, Virtue Baby, Caring For Kids
[ad_2]