'All you need is love' said the ‘fab four’ back in the 60s and they were right!

Love is key to building a healthy, well balanced human brain.

From the first look into your baby’s eyes we are starting to ‘wire’ the brain. It is believed that the early looks and smiles an infant receives from the adults around them are key to the brain growing.

The positive looks a little one receives are vital for the development of the social, emotional and intelligent brain.

A baby’s brain more than doubles in weight in the first year, with the most activity happening between six to 12 months. The success of this growth is dependent on the amount of positive experience the baby has.

We are born with neurons which cover the brain so we don’t have to grow any more. What is crucial, though, is connecting the neurons.

Just like the electric wiring in your home, a baby’s brain has all the switches in place - they just need to be wired together in order to ‘turn on the light’. Most of this wiring happens after birth, and this is where your interaction with your baby is key to this success. Holding, talking, and observing your baby helps with this process. The magic happens when you react to them and respond to their needs.

Neurons that fire together wire together. If your baby has a good experience that wiring will remain in place with positive chemicals flooding the brain, leaving your baby content, calm and happy.

NEXT WEEK: The power of positive touch

See: www.parentandbabycoach.co.uk