Baby development and parenting for the science-minded© 2009 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reservedSome people might think of baby development as a “soft” subject, like poodle-grooming. But the truth is far different. Infant development research seeks to explain how the most powerful machine on the planet—the human brain—comes online.
If you have a brand new baby, you might want to start with these articles about
Baby development and the social mindOnce, the Western medical establish believed that the mind of the newborn was a blank slate. Today we know better.At birth, babies are already tuned into the social world. They can identify voices and faces, and they are sensitive to your efforts to communicate with them. To learn more about this
starting point for baby development, click here.
And, by 12 to 14 months, many
babies start showing signs of empathy and empathic concern for other people.
Is it helpful to understand your baby’s cognitive development? I think so. Research suggests that that babies benefit when their parents treat them as individuals with minds of their own. This “mind-minded” approach to parenting is associated with more secure attachment relationships. It may also help babies learn about the emotions and mental processes of other people. Talking to babiesAs noted above, newborns also more interested in listening to people who speak a special way—that slow, repetitive, musical style of speech that many people adopt naturally when they talk to babies. This This “infant-directed speech” helps communicate the emotional meaning of your messages. It may also help babies learn how to talk.Just how do babies learn to talk? Studies suggest that the most important factor influencing language development is the amount of time babies spend in conversation with adults. What about baby sign language?Some people have claimed that we can give baby development a boost by teaching babies sign language. Although it’s not clear that baby sign language makes babies any smarter, it certainly can improve the quality of communication with your child. There is also evidence suggesting that babies who are encouraged to used gestures develop more advanced language abilities—at least in the short term. Read more about the science of baby signing.Baby sleepWondering how many hours your baby should sleep? How to get him to sleep? Or whether or not bed-sharing with babies is safe? Check out this collection of evidence-based articles on baby sleep.SIDSResearchers are still struggling to understand the causes of sudden infant death syndrome. But some points seem pretty clear.It appears that SIDS victims have trouble awakening when something potentially life-threatening (like a severe episode of sleep apnea) happens during sleep (Franco et al 2004). It’s also evident that a variety of biological and environmental factors put babies at greater risk. For more information, see this overview of the science of SIDS. In addition, check out these research-based tips for reducing the risk of SIDS. Stress in babiesWe know that acute, chronic stress can affect baby development. We also know that the babies with the healthiest stress response systems have parents who are sensitive and responsive to their needs. But what about the little stuff--the everyday stressors?Should we soothe our babies with a quiet touch, or do babies prefer more stimulation--like eye contact, rocking, and talk? And is it better to change that wet diaper, or let her sleep through it? Research suggests that babies like multisensory stimulation, and maybe you can wait on that diaper. Check out this article on everyday stress in babies. FeedingHow often should babies feed? Several major medical organizations, including the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that parents feed babies “on cue,” that is, whenever babies show signs of hunger. This is a particularly good idea if you are breastfeeding. For the reasons why, see this article about the evolutionary, cross-cultural, and clinical evidence for breastfeeding on cue.For other articles about breastfeeding, click here. The transition to solid foods The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that parents to delay the introduction of solid foods until after 6 months. These organizations advise parents to begin with rice cereal, and then introduce other foods gradually—-one at a time, and in small amounts (Finocchi et al 2006). This cautious procedure helps parents identify any food(s) that produce an allergic reaction. But what about the “Yech!” reaction? What to do about picky eaters Allergic reactions are relatively rare. Facial expressions of disgust and dislike are much more common. When babies seem to dislike the new foods we give them, what should we do? For answers, see this evidence-based article,
"Baby food secrets: How to get babies to eat new foods."
These early flavor experiences influence what solid foods your baby likes or dislikes. For more information, see these articles about the prenatal learning of food preferences and the impact of flavors in breast milk and baby formula. Baby math?Popular books about baby development tend to focus on motor skills and speech. But there is a lot of other stuff going on in your baby’s brain. Clever experiments reveal that your baby’s mathematical mind is working even before she can talk.Babies as young as 3 months can distinguish between different quantities, like 4 versus 8. Older babies can make finer distinctions (e.g., 8 versus 12), and they can perform other tasks as well, including simple feats of subtraction and addition. To read more about this fascinating aspect of baby development, see my article on what babies know about numbers. Potty training: When are babies ready?In most non-Western cultures, people start potty training in infancy. Is this something you’d like to try? Check out this article on the science of infant potty training. You might also be interested in this experimentally-tested technique for training older babies.What about psychological damage? What about Freud? The idea that early potty training causes psychological or behavioral problems has been discredited. For a review of the evidence, see this article about the timing of toilet training. So parents should feel free to choose the timing that best suits their own families. For help, check out my article on choosing the right age for potty training. It reviews the advantages and disadvantages of training at different stages of baby development, from the newborn period through the “terrible twos.” References: Baby developmentFiocchi A, Assa'ad A, Bahna S; Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee; American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2006. Food allergy and the introduction of solid foods to infants: a consensus document. Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 97(1):10-20.
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