The fact that nursing increases the bonding between mother and child isn’t a surprise to anyone, but the way that bond is forged might not be what you expect. It turns out, nursing isn’t just a heartwarming experience. It actually alters a mother’s brain chemistry.
It turns out, according to a new study, that nursing moms are more responsive to their baby’s cries than non-breast feeding moms and that their brains show an increase in activities in areas related to mothering.
Researcher Pilyoung Kim of the National Institute of Mental Health tells MSNBC that the study serves as another example of why it’s important to support mothers who breast-feed their children.
“I understand the challenges mothers have,” Kim tells MSNBC. “Regardless of their decision, I think it is critical during this early postpartum period that they seek support and encouragement from others, especially when they feel very stressed and challenged by the new demands because of the new parenting experience.”
But this doesn’t mean that non-breast feeding mothers are bad moms. Like so many other things about parenting, it seems as though how connected and empathetic you are to your baby depends on how much love and care you give them.
Brain activity in the superior frontal gyrus, striatum and amygdala is associated with empathy. These areas spike when one is engaged in parenting activities. This mirrors studies in animals. Whether or not mothers in the study breast-fed their babies, increased activity in the mothers’ superior frontal gyrus and amygdala was connected with the level of affection they showed their babies. Breast feeding intensifies the process, but being a loving mom is the important part. How you love them comes second.
