Anthropologists have documented the human Evolved Developmental Niche (EDN) among hunter-gatherers (SBHG) (Hewlett & Lamb, 2005; Konner, 2005, 2010). SBHG are representative of the type of society in which the human genus spent 99% of its existence (Konner, 2010). The human EDN includes soothing perinatal experiences; extensive (years) of infant-initiated breastfeeding; nearly constant touch or caregiver presence in the first years of life; responsiveness from adults so the infant does not get distressed; free play in nature with playmates; a positive social climate; multiple adult caregivers; and positive social support. All these practices have been documented to have long term health effects (for reviews, see Narvaez, Panksepp, Schore & Gleason, 2013). The EDN shapes key inheritances, such as emotion systems that thinking mammalian and allow for quick intuitive analysis of a situation. But these must be well-educated, by responsive caregivers and appropriate environments. Caregiver practices tailor the neurobiology of all brain functioning (and much of physiological functioning). That is, the way caregivers treat a baby co-develop the systems of the body, including immunity, neurotransmitters and endocrine systems (Narvaez, 2014). In fact, because the child cannot self-regulate at birth, caregivers act as external regulators (Montagu, 1957; Schore, 1996). Here are a few more details. Soothing prenatal experiences. Soothing perinatal experiences means no medicalization, no separation of mother and newborn, no induced pain and no interference with timing. Medicalized childbirth is documented to interfere with mother-child bonding, breastfeeding success, and child self-regulation. Breastfeeding. Infants are nursed frequently (2-3 times/hour initially). Nursing lasts for years, with an average weaning age of age 4. Breast milk provides thousands of
Anthropologists have documented the human Evolved Developmental Niche (EDN) among hunter-gatherers (SBHG) (Hewlett & Lamb, 2005; Konner, 2005, 2010). SBHG are representative of the type of society in which the human genus spent 99% of its existence (Konner, 2010). The human EDN includes soothing perinatal experiences; extensive (years) of infant-initiated breastfeeding; nearly constant touch or caregiver presence in the first years of life; responsiveness from adults so the infant does not get distressed; free play in nature with playmates; a positive social climate; multiple adult caregivers; and positive social support. All these practices have been documented to have long term health effects (for reviews, see Narvaez, Panksepp, Schore & Gleason, 2013). The EDN shapes key mammalian inheritances, such as emotion systems that thinking and allow for quick intuitive analysis of a situation. But these must be well-educated, by responsive caregivers and appropriate environments. Caregiver practices tailor the neurobiology of all brain functioning (and much of physiological functioning). That is, the way caregivers treat a baby co-develop the systems of the body, including immunity, neurotransmitters and endocrine systems (Narvaez, 2014). In fact, because the child cannot self-regulate at birth, caregivers act as external regulators (Montagu, 1957; Schore, 1996). Here are a few more details. Soothing prenatal experiences. Soothing perinatal experiences means no medicalization, no separation of mother and newborn, no induced pain and no interference with timing. Medicalized childbirth is documented to interfere with mother-child bonding, breastfeeding success, and child self-regulation. Breastfeeding. Infants are nursed frequently (2-3 times/hour initially). Nursing lasts for years, with an average weaning age of age 4. Breast milk provides thousands of
NarvaezNeurobiologyMSensitivity.docx