New discovery about maternal love

New research shows that motherhood can completely change a woman's brain, making her brain grow in gray matter due to the impact of the child.

The changes seem to begin at the time of the baby's birth. For example, in the 2010 study, experts assessed brain scans of 19 women before and after labor. Accordingly, the size of the brain in the mother increases immediately after giving birth.'We have observed small but significant increases in brain volume in the brain,' said coauthor Pilyoung Kim of the National Institute of Mental Health (USA).

Kim and colleagues also found that the brain development rate was strongest in mothers who were always full of joy about the birth of their children from birth until 1 month later, compared to women. mother does not enthusiastically express such feelings.

Good relationships between mother and child help children develop well in all aspects

The immediate postpartum period is very important for new mothers. According to the researchers, they develop sensitive motherhood skills during this time, and changes in the brain may be related to the way that skill group exposes. To draw this conclusion, experts specifically observe the increase in gray matter in brain areas such as hypothalamus, amygdala, parietal lobe and prefrontal brain. (prefrontal cortex). These are areas responsible for emotions, reasoning and evaluation, senses and rewarding behavior.

Compared to those who are less motivated to be mothers, mothers are happy because they are more likely to develop the mid-brain region, especially in areas involving maternal motivation, rewards and emotional regulation. , according to Ms Kim's group.

Researchers say the development of the 'engine' area can lead to more thorough child care actions, helping the child to be best developed. Although it is unclear why there is brain growth in the mother's brain, they argue that the increase in hormones including estrogen, oxytocin and prolactin has played a role in this amazing phenomenon. To be precise, the feeling of immense satisfaction and joy for the child is at the root of attitude and behavior in the mother.

According to research results published in the journal Pediatrics in 2008, the group of Dr. Lane Strathearn of Baylor School of Medicine (USA) discovered when mothers saw the radiant face of their children, the reward signal on the brain immediately established. ie activated.'This is the same triggered area as in the case of a drug addict satisfied with the craving , ' said Dr Strathearn. For mothers, smiles and faces of children are more effective than drugs.

Maternal function not only affects women's brains, but motherhood can also cause long-term effects on the young brain. A 2009 study on Neuropsychopharmacology investigated two groups of mothers classified according to their feelings with their mothers. The results show that they also respond differently to newborn babies. For the group that has a close and safe relationship with the mother, they respond positively to all forms of the child's face, whether the child laughs or cries.

However, in mothers who do not have a relationship or feeling protected by their mother, the group's reaction is very different. When a child cries, a part of the brain is associated with pain, a feeling of injustice or disgust triggered. This shows that childhood experiences with the mother are especially important for children. Experts hope that future studies can help scientists understand the mother's influence on the emotional, social and physical development of the child.