New Insights into Wiring a Newborn's Brain: The Role of Parents
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Chapter 1: Understanding Brain Development in Newborns
Have you ever wondered how long it takes for a newborn's brain to establish essential connections? This query is expertly addressed by neuroscientist Dr. Nils Bergman, MD, during his presentation at the MICROBIRTH SUMMIT.
The Foundations of Neonatal Neuroscience
A newborn enters the world with approximately 100 billion neurons, yet the connections or synapses between these neurons are sparse at birth. This implies that a newborn’s brain is not entirely wired.
To foster rapid neural connections, parental love, affection, and proximity are crucial. A baby must feel secure for these connections to form effectively. Dr. Bergman emphasizes this in his 30-minute masterclass titled "Nurturescience and Zero Separation," presented during our international Microbirth Plan conference.
In this enlightening talk, Dr. Bergman highlights the paramount importance of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, where the baby is held against the parent’s bare chest for extended periods. This method is essential for creating the necessary neuro-connections.
For professionals such as doulas, childbirth educators, nurses, midwives, or clinicians, watching the full presentation is highly recommended. It will provide a compelling argument for maternity systems to respect the physiological needs of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, as well as the principles of neuroscience that support the long-term welfare of infants. Dr. Bergman articulates, "It's not enough to reduce risks; we must also promote positive outcomes."
Chapter 2: The Timing of Connection
Initial connections in a newborn's brain begin to form within the first hour after birth. Specifically, the emotional brain, known as the amygdala, starts connecting with the social brain, or the orbitofrontal cortex, within the first 1,000 seconds.
Dr. Bergman explains, "The critical first task for the brain is to connect the emotional brain, the amygdala, with the social brain, the orbitofrontal cortex, located just above the eyes. This connection occurs within the first hour, within the first thousand seconds."
But how long does it actually take to wire a baby's brain? According to Dr. Bergman, it requires six hours, which extends beyond the "golden hour" often mentioned in Baby Friendly initiatives.
The wiring process is not limited to the baby's brain; the mother's brain must also undergo immediate rewiring to synchronize with the baby's brain. Dr. Bergman states, "For the mother’s brain, we need to connect the cortisol center, the prolactin center, and some endorphins. A significant investment is necessary to create a mother’s brain."
Section 2.1: The Mother's Brain Wiring
To effectively wire a mother’s brain, continuous skin-to-skin contact for 20 hours is essential. This allows for synchronization between mother and baby, enabling them to read each other’s cues. During this period, where the baby sleeps, feeds, and interacts on the mother's chest, the mother’s brain can achieve the correct wiring. Hence, Dr. Bergman advocates for Zero Separation between mother and baby.
Section 2.2: The Father's Role
The father's brain also requires rewiring. Interestingly, it only takes one hour of skin-to-skin contact for this process. Unlike mothers, fathers do not need to produce prolactin for breastfeeding; they simply need to form a connection between oxytocin and dopamine, which can happen in as little as 30 minutes.
Dr. Bergman highlights that this skin-to-skin bonding can occur anywhere, whether in an operating room post-surgery, in a hospital ward, or at home. "It doesn’t matter where; the crucial part is that the father and baby connect."
Section 2.3: The Risks of Inadequate Connection
If a baby does not receive the appropriate skin-to-skin contact during the first six hours after birth, it may result in feelings of insecurity that can adversely affect brain development. "When a baby feels unsafe, it leads to toxic stress that disrupts the architecture of their brain," warns Dr. Bergman.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
Consider the importance of 20 continuous hours of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for proper brain synchronization between a mother and her baby.
In modern maternity care, how often is this ideal met? Too often, we create interruptions and separate mothers from their babies. What barriers exist that prevent us from aligning our systems with the foundational principles of neuroscience?
What if all essential newborn assessments could be performed while the baby remains on the mother's chest? What if weighing and measuring were deferred to the next day?
These ideas are just a few insights drawn from a wealth of knowledge shared at the conference.
About Me:
I am Toni Harman, and I write evidence-based articles focusing on the microbiome, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. I welcome any connections on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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