Part 3 - final part: The VEN cells increase rapidly in number during the first and second month of life, a development probably assisted by breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding. After peaking at eight months, the VENs gradually decrease in number until the child reaches the age of four, and then they remain at a constant number into adulthood.
Over the last decade, neuroscientists have begun to pay special attention to the insula and its related structures. The insula is involved with emotions such as self-control, self-awareness, happiness, guilt, embarrassment, intuition, and shame. In short, breastfeeding enhances the Insula, which improves the cognitive ability of the child, and plays a major role in developing personality and character. A dysfunctional insula is linked to autism, addictions, various forms of dementia and other neuro-psychiatric illnesses. The act of breast feedingarouses the five senses of the feeding infant. These arousals help stimulatethe corresponding parts of the baby's brain, and the connections between braincells (synapses). The act of breastfeedingalso arouses reciprocal touch sensors in the skin of the mother and infantwhich excites the insula and causes the release of “happy hormones,” and conversely,the suppression of “stress hormones” in the brain of both the mother and child. In short breastfeeding, beyondthe physical nourishment of the baby, also nourishes the mind of the baby andthe mother. All these mental effects have short-term and long-term benefits long after the period of lactation. For the infant, it is better braindevelopment. For the mother, data showsthat greater the number of pregnancies, the lower the risk of Alzheimer’sdisease later in life. For more information on the Insula, please refer to our web-pageyourhappybrainbook.com Thanks for reading. Regards, GL | | Virus-free. www.avast.com |
