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What does your baby’s brain consist of?

Your baby’s brain is complex, made up of several areas that control his body’s functioning. From your baby’s motor movements to his emotional responses, the brain has a role to play. Simply put, neurons in the brain create pathways or connections that develop at a very quick pace. This is especially the case during the initial years of your baby’s life, making it crucial for the parents to ensure that they can help the development.

How can you contribute?

Given that your baby’s brain begins to develop in uterus itself, you can help your baby along by reading to him. Studies indicate that reading to the baby in the womb is beneficial.

At birth, the neural connections are still developing and your baby now needs you more than ever. Ensure you create a routine around your little one’s day that involves plenty of playing, reading and constantly speaking with him. This will help develop the brain as your baby grows.

Provide your little one with a stable, loving home environment in which he can flourish. When he sees positive relationships around him, he will respond in a similar manner. This will destress the baby’s brain and enhance his physical and mental health.

What helps your baby’s brain development?

A baby thrives on interaction with his family and as his mother, you are the one person he is connected to well before birth. Use this time with the baby to engage him in simple activities and games. Give him plenty of tummy time to strengthen his body, especially the head and neck muscles. You do not need fancy equipment or toys to entertain your baby. Peek-a-boo is a baby’s favourite and can be played right into toddlerhood. All of these help in developing his brain which is rapidly learning and absorbing all new influences.

Do make sure that your baby is getting good, nourishing food. Eat local and fresh for the baby to derive maximum benefit.

A word of caution when it comes to screen time. While it is easy to place the baby in front of the TV while you try to get some work done, know that it is not at all recommended. It can prove detrimental to his sensitive, developing brain. Instead, keep your baby occupied with singing to him, interacting as you go about your chores

and making eye contact with him. Cooing and smiling at the baby are comforting to him and makes him feel safe – all conducive to brain development.

Your takeaway

Help your little one to explore his surroundings and gain new experiences. Encourage him to respond to smells, sounds and touch, and keep his environment safe and stress-free. All of this contributes to his brain development.

1. Does my baby have reflux?

Reflux is a condition where your baby spits up the milk during or after feeding. However, you need not worry as this is a common issue among babies, which subsides by the time your baby turns 1. If your baby is fine otherwise, you need not worry. Plus, it can be treated by making your baby burp well after every feed. In case, you see your baby vomit forcefully, frequent greenish bile stained vomiting, retching, swallowing difficulties, blood in vomit or poo, then it is recommended to consult your doctor.

2. How do I know if my baby has had enough milk?

As a new mother, you may always have doubts if you are feeding your baby enough. Babies eat when they’re hungry and refuse when they’re not. Turning away from the breast or bottle, being fussy as their tummy is full or passing a lot of gas are signs they’re full. In case they bring up a lot of milk, there’s nothing to worry as when babies start out they may drink too much without realising. Don’t worry; the reason for your baby’s cries or irritation may not be hunger always. It is recommended to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned your baby is not having enough milk.

3. I am struggling to wind my baby? What should I do?

Seeing your baby in an unpleasant condition is not easy. But, there are things you can do to ensure they’re healthy and comfortable. Take a look at your feeding positions. Try holding your baby in a more upright position or have him sit on your lap rather than horizontally. This will help them avoid gulping down air or the milk from flowing faster than they can swallow. You may also try lying down with your baby while feeding to help them gulp less air or swallow properly. Also, make sure you’re winding them at night time as you would during the day.

4. My baby suffers stomach cramps when bottle fed, is it colic?

We understand how you would be feeling seeing your baby in an unpleasant condition. Here, we’d recommend you to pay a visit to your doctor as soon as you can, as they can help you come to a proper diagnosis of the condition. In some cases diarrhoea and stomach cramps could also be caused by cow milk allergy. While you fix an appointment with your doctor, you may gently massage your baby’s tummy or put a warm water bottle on their stomach to help them relax.

We hope these FAQs would have helped you to a certain extent in feeding your baby and understanding his requirements well.

After delivery

Skin-to-skin contact is a beautiful way for mothers to bond. Sooner or later, sometimes even immediately, you will start feeling the love and warmth. It’s great for the baby too. Touching and cuddling her will also strengthen these feelings. What’s amazing is this has physical effects on her — it regulates body temperature, respiratory rate, and even help initiate the development of their immune system.

At this stage, focus on breastfeeding, ensuring that they latch on well, with careful positioning. It is also important to rest. Take your time, it will help you recover faster too.

1 month

At this stage, she’ll start recognising sounds, and become more alert. She’ll learn to smile, so be sure to smile a lot. This will help you bond with her because when she sees you happy, she’ll learn by observing you. Her vision is also improving, and she can start seeing human faces and moving objects. She’ll especially focus on your face, so try to be as near as possible when you can, so that she’ll also be reassured by your familiarity. Skin-to-skin contact is still the best way to bond, so massages and cuddles are great ways to do this.

2 months

She’ll know how you and your birth partner sounds, talk to her as much as you can. She’ll also start sleeping less and observing more. You’ll also begin understanding her likes and dislikes, and it’s the cutest thing to feel ! At this point, physical contact will keep strengthening your bond because by now she derives comfort from your presence. To communicate with you, she’ll make sounds. Don’t worry, over time you’ll understand exactly what she’s is trying to say.

3 months

Now, she’s more attentive, and parts of their personality will start to show. Physical and mental stimulation is important at this stage. She’ll also try to catch your intention to start a “conversation” with you by means of sounds and gurgles. A brighter smile is observed, and she’ll keep smiling till you smile back. It’s important to be there for her because she’ll want to talk to you or be held by you.

What makes touch so important?

Holding your baby close offers health benefits both for your baby and you. Here’s what you can expect:

• Calming your baby: At birth itself, doctors the world over encourage the new mother to hold the baby close, often placing the newborn on his mother’s stomach. Skin-to-skin contact is crucial for your baby to feel calm and comforted. The birthing process is traumatic for a baby and cuddling him close soon after provides some much-needed reassurance.
• Your baby’s overall well-being: Holding your baby close improves oxygen levels and destresses him. It has also been known to reduce crying and help with establishing breastfeeding, thereby taking care of his mental and emotional well-being. Breastfeeding while natural has to be learned by the baby. Allowing him skin-to-skin contact boosts his sensory perception, thereby helping to establish nursing.
• Benefits for you, as the mother: As a new mother, you can look forward to regulated blood pressure and hormone levels. Holding your baby close releases oxytocin, also known as the ‘love hormone’. What could be better than that to build an everlasting bond with your little one!
• Providing your baby with warmth: Your baby needs warmth because a newborn isn’t able to effectively regulate his body temperature. Holding him close helps with this, and also provides the comforting sound of your heartbeat, something that your baby is familiar with from when he was in utero. Additionally, your baby’s blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and respiratory rate also stabilise.

• Boosting your baby’s immunity: While in the womb, your baby’s immunity starts to build and continues to develop once he is born. Offering your baby skin-to-skin time brings him in touch with the bacteria on your skin, thereby boosting his immunity. Over the long run, this can protect your little one against a host of medical conditions. It could likely help your baby ward off allergies and other infections as well.
• Promotes brain development: At birth, your baby’s brain is working to establish neural pathways or a connection between the neurons in the brain. This helps to promote memory formation as well as enhance emotional learning in your baby as he grows. Cuddling your baby close promotes this crucial activity.

• Establishing a sleep routine: Sleep is essential to brain development, and holding your baby close regularly helps him settle into a quiet, less disturbed sleep. This, in turn, helps the baby grow and meet developmental milestones, both at the newborn stage and over time.

The bottom line

While treasuring the first cuddle with your newborn may seem a simple thing, the benefits it offers go far beyond the ordinary. Helping your baby adapt to life outside the womb, this creates a bond between you and your baby that will last lifelong.