Moms: Nurturing your baby, nurturing your brain
Neuroscience shows that Mom’s brain changes as she expects, births and nurtures her baby. How about Dad’s brain, or that of a foster mom or caretaker? Cozette Laubser explains how certain areas in the brain shrink or grow, how close contact with a baby “rewards” parents with feel-good hormones, and how being nurtured helps children develop a regulated nervous system. She reassures parents that parenting means growing a skill set, and offers advice on exhaustion and moms returning to work.
If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Cozette and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device. Tip: Use earphones to listen in private.
In ep. 188 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, BabyGym Institute International programme director, childbirth educator, and birth doula Cozette Laubser touches on
the importance of the emotional or mammalian brain in terms of bonding and belonging
how to support the development of your “parenting brain” so you become more attuned to your baby
what happens during the first 6 hours after birth, including the role of stress hormones (a summary)
what to do if Mom is separated from Baby directly after birth
the first 20 hours as a sensitive time-frame for “upgrading” Mom’s brain
how much skin-to-skin time Dad needs for this upgrade
practical tips for bonding with your baby more easily, even if you didn’t experience closeness in childhood
how nurturing a baby changes an adult’s brain, shrinking or growing certain areas
the hormone cocktail which eases dealing with the demands of nurturing a baby
the meaning of matrescence and patrescence
how nurturing your child helps him or her develop a regulated nervous system
whether nurturing your child creates “bad habits”
parenting as a new skill set
Cozette’s advice for parents who grow exhausted looking after their baby, probably experiencing disrupted sleep
how going back to work influences a mom in terms of matrescence.
In this episode, Cozette mentions the work of Dr Nils Bergman and neuroscientist and doula Greer Kirschenbaum and her book, Nurture Revolution.
Scroll down for more info on Cozette, her book Newborn Brain Essentials, contact details and resources.
Listen to Cozette discussing crucial questions related to parenting, pregnancy and birth - including when you’re ready to become a parent.
Cozette describes how skin-to-skin contact right after birth bonds Baby, Mom and Dad - and what to do if the opportunity wasn’t there.
Newborn Brain Essentials by Cozette Laubser - ook beskikbaar as Breinbeginsels vir Pasgebore Babas - can be found here.
About Cozette, including contact details
Cozette Laubser is the Director of BabyGym and an internationally qualified Childbirth Educator from Johannesburg.
Email address: cozette.laubser@babygym.co.za
Website: www.babygym.co.za - including info on books and workshops
Facebook: Babygym Institute International
Instagram: babygyminstitute_international
Tel. 082 301 5860.
Music by Mart-Marie Snyman
All images supplied by BabyGym®