Born Smart

My son suffered from severe separation anxiety during his first year and I have always contributed this to the fact that I was very stressed at work during the first 3 months of my pregnancy. An article in Scientific American now confirmed that the stress hormone corticosterone is involved in separation anxiety. A variation in the gene DRD2 has been linked to babies who are unable to deal with stressful situations as efficiently as their counterparts.

If you have a baby like mine and you’re now stressing about what to do, consider this. Studies have shown that sensitive parenting can help a baby overcome his fears and help him to deal with stressful situations. How does this work? DNA Metyhylation is an epigenetic factor that can change the expression of a gene, (for example, switching the gene from on to off or vice versa). Studies on rodents have shown that the frequent licking of a mother rat can alter methylation levels in the hippocampus of the baby. And if you’re still not convinced, researchers have found epigenetic changes in genes of suicide victims, believed to be due to childhood abuse.

I can also offer my own experience as testimonial to these studies. I practiced an attachment style of parenting, always responding to my baby’s cries, extended breast feeding, used baby carriers not strollers in the early months and generally kept baby close as much as possible. Today there is no sign of anxiety in my four year old son. In fact he engages anyone and everyone around him in conversation wherever he goes.