10 SIMPLE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE INFANT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

1. ENGAGE

First and foremost, the greatest gift you can give your baby is yourself—meaning your attention, your time and your energy. There are times when this level of devotion can be trying but in years to come you will delight in having spent quality time with your child; reading, cuddling, playing and building a lifelong bond and connection.

2. ALTERNATE SIDES WHEN FEEDING

Mother Nature is so clever; take for example the fascinating fact that a newborn has their clearest visual acuity at 20–25 cm—the exact distance between their own face and their mother’s face when they are attached to the breast! Indeed, each time a newborn is fed, they are being nourished nutritionally and emotionally.
The second fascinating fact is that Mother Nature provides two breasts, not one, so that mum will naturally swap her baby from side to side whilst feeding. This ensures that even right-left brain development occurs. Therefore, if you are bottle-feeding your baby, be sure to swap your baby from one arm to the other to mimic this phenomenon.

3. CONSIDER YOUR BABY’S HEAD SHAPE

There is a myth that an odd-shaped baby’s head is of no concern and will ‘right itself’ with time, however, anomalies of shape can be the first indication that your baby is susceptible to developmental delay. If their head looks uneven or you notice flat areas, this can indicate restrictions between the skull and the soft layers that cover the brain and spinal cord. A healthy brain requires good movement of the skull and spine; when this movement is impaired, brain and nerve function are also impaired. It is best—whether your infant’s head is odd-shaped or not—to have your newborn’s skeletal system checked as early as possible by a chiropractor or osteopath.

4. PRIORITIZE ‘TUMMY TIME’

From a neurological perspective it is vitally important that babies (from three weeks of age onward) start to have short bursts of ‘tummy time’—time spent lying on their tummies and holding their own heads up. This simple act builds up their neck muscles and activates brain stem pathways which are critical for healthy brain development.

If you lay your baby on your chest and talk to them, you will encourage them to lift their heads and look you in the eyes. Also, each time you change your baby’s nappy, roll them on their stomachs for a few moments. Note: if your infant does not appear to like lying on their stomach, this could be an indication of spine or nerve irritation and it is best to have them checked by a chiropractor.

5. GIVE YOUR BABY OBJECTS TO GAZE AT

Babies love visual stimulation. As well as hanging mobiles, you can provide wall charts with shapes for them to look at, ideally at varying distances. Start with black and white shapes because initially newborns see only in black and white.

6. ENCOURAGE YOUR BABY TO HAVE LOTS OF ‘FREE PLAYTIME’

Whenever possible allow your infant time to move about, explore their world and entertain themselves with a variety of objects, such as cups, balls, spoons, string, a plastic mirror, etc. Every time a baby reaches out to touch something new their neurological synapses connect, eventually building circuits that are strong enough to trigger the next developmental milestone. As your baby grows older, teach them to do stimulating activities like blowing bubbles or balloons, building with blocks, doing puzzles and counting beads.

7. HAVE YOUR BABY’S NERVOUS SYSTEM CHECKED

To maximize your infant’s nerve function, have them assessed by a chiropractor or cranial osteopath skilled with children. Clinical studies indicate that rapid growth of the entire brain occurs during the first year of life. The Journal of Neuroscience (2008) states that, although the first year of life may be a period of developmental vulnerability it may also be a period in which therapeutic interventions would have the greatest positive effect.

8. MASSAGE YOUR BABY

Massage provides wonderful stimulus and feedback to the brain. Alternate soft, all-over body massage with firmer pressure holds, working slowly down one arm, across the torso and down the opposite leg to the foot. Repeat this on both sides. This massage is great for calming the nervous system, particularly if your child is upset or over-stimulated when it is time for sleep.

9. MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS GETTING AMPLE SLEEP

If a baby or child does not wake up easily and with energy each morning, this could indicate they are not getting enough quality sleep. As parents we often miss our child’s ‘tired cues’ and then we have great difficulty trying to put them to bed when their brain has moved back into fourth gear. A set routine for dinner and bedtime makes life easier for everyone. Start these activities well before your infant is likely to be tired and ready for sleep.

10. BE ACTIVE

From an early age it is important to teach your child a range of physical activities so that they can learn to balance and coordinate their bodies. Activities like standing on one leg, hopping, skipping and walking along a beam or ledge (under supervision) are all helpful for balance, while spinning, swinging, ball games, clapping hands and cross crawling all provide wonderful brain feedback and can be introduced early.

Originally posted by Dr Jennifer Barham-Floreani, Well Adjusted