Psychiatry and psychology is more than often mistaken as a science of "grown-ups". A science based on "experience", that 90% naturally imbibe with the passage of time. Unfortunately this a common social myth which creates an unwanted "taboo" within which people love to dwell.
It might come as surprise to many but Psychiatry and psychology are two branches of science that start deciphering the emotional and behavioral patterns of the human mind since the time of conception. This again breaks another social myth that human mind starts thinking only post 2yrs of age.
The following are some common psychiatric medicine findings on how a new born child's mind works. They have been based on extensive research, brain scans, behavioral observation of hundreds of thousands of babies. They are essential guidelines for every parent on how the future personality of their child will develop.
2. Pain - physical and emotional
Many people propagate the myth that babies are incapable of forming memory and specially memory about pain. I have visited many new-born related religious ceremonies where grand-parents, parent, priests and other society members have been ignorantly preaching the myth "it doesn't matter if he/she suffers some pain during the ceremony cause he/she will not remember it"
I am sorry to break the egg on their face, but it has been found out by neuro-scientists that babies have a fully functional neurological complex which helps them store simple memories from the day of birth.
This not only makes sure that they feel the full physical intensity of any trauma or pain inflicted upon them, but it also makes sure that they form a memory regarding the same.
This not only makes sure that they feel the full physical intensity of any trauma or pain inflicted upon them, but it also makes sure that they form a memory regarding the same.
A infant brain perceives pain and triggers "flight, fight or flight" mechanisms. The physical expression of the same can range from sleep or defecation abnormality to later life fearfulness.
3. Higher Brain functions present.
One of the most abused myths in society is that a new born cannot think, understand the meaning of whats happening around him or form any memory.
Most people attribute it too the baby having a "primitive" or poorly developed brain.
A proven by studies, the brain is fully functional at birth. After the first few hours of interactions the child starts forming memory about those who are close to him. Its a proof of his thinking process that he knows when to demand feed. Within the first few weeks he understands the meaning of relationships around him/her and starts to form memories related to them.
A proof of this memory formation is how infants stop crying when they are embraced by a specific person or in a specific manner or at the movement of a specific toy.
4. Brain is fully formed at birth
Many doctors and parents feel that an infant brain takes time to fully develop. While many will find it difficult to accept but process of breathing, sleeping, waking, crying, spatial orientation, and movement are very complex brain functions that require interaction of various brain areas. Even the senses of taste, touch, smell, vision and hearing are fully operative and coordinated at birth. It can be easily said that at birth the infants brain is a fully functional super-computer ready to receive and store all information provided to it.
5. Babies Think
Most parents will say that the only thing they find their infant doing is sleep, feed, poop and more sleep. Also the child takes nearly a year to start pronouncing his first letters, so does he/she really think?
Yes. recent investigations have shown that babies do a lot of thinking. They express this thinking through body language when they purposefully try to reach out at something, look inquisitive, frown or scream in protest, gurgle in satisfaction and gasps in excitement.
EEG studies of their brain waves have shown that infants are great dreamers. And these dream patterns are sometimes affected by their daily emotional and behavioral interactions with their environment. So a baby who heard his father or mother yelling or fighting might experience higher dreaming than on normal days.
6. Sense of Self and Environment
Older scientists have rationalized that a baby is "egocentric" or "involved into self" till the age of 18months.
Within the first weeks of birth the newborns start understanding the meaning of facial expressions and the tone of their mothers voice. They are helpless due to limited movement and capabilities to express themselves. But with every passing day try more and more to express themselves.
Babies love to listen to their mother and fathers speech. They respond to the dialog with their parents.
If babies were lost in their own world, they would not be so good at analyzing and responding to sounds. They will stop eating, even when hungry, to listen to something interesting. If they hear other babies crying, they will usually be moved to cry with them. If they hear a recording of their own cry, they may suddenly stop crying-an indication that they recognize themselves.
7. Separation anxiety
Anxiety or stress is a term associated with adults. Many will argue why and how does an infant experience it.
This is probably one of the biggest examples of the highly complex nature of an infant brain.
The biggest separation anxiety that a child experiences is that of being away from his mother. The helplessness of not seeing his mother, or being close to her within a stipulated time-frame immediately triggers fear.
Such powerful is the emotional bond, that many infants have a "sixth sense" to perceive when their mother is moving away from them and they immediately try to counter it by crying loudly.
The biggest separation anxiety that a child experiences is that of being away from his mother. The helplessness of not seeing his mother, or being close to her within a stipulated time-frame immediately triggers fear.
Such powerful is the emotional bond, that many infants have a "sixth sense" to perceive when their mother is moving away from them and they immediately try to counter it by crying loudly.
Separation from their mother is an emotional trial. Babies are very intelligent to need to hear their mother's voice, learn her sleep cycles, and recognize her body odors and facial expressions. These help them know their mother is all right.
Emotion and behavioral patterns are a universal phenomenon present in all ages. We are late in acknowledging this. Watch your infant for expressions of happiness, surprise, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, interest, and distress.
ENJOY PARENTHOOD!!!
Dr.Hemant MittaL
Motivational Speaker - Mind-Body HealerDr.Hemant MittaL
(MBBS, PG.DPM, M.D.(Mind Mantra Wellness Concepts - Mumbai))
(Specialize in Emotional, Behavioural, Sleep, Memory, Concentration and Sexual Health)
(www.mindmantra.in)
Contact at -
Email - eksoch@gmail.com
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Very interesting, parents should take a note of this. Please tell me if a child is born right handed or left handed, or is it just what one learns as a child.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Very accurate and very true. In fact, I'm figuring out that some of my profound memories are from my infancy. For example, I remember my birth, and nights i would lay alone in my crib wondering if my parents were gonna take off and leave me alone. That's why I cried all the time. 20 years ago and I still remember all those memories
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