Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Babies

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201312/ten-things-everyone-should-know-about-babies?fb_action_ids=10202582016901215&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B595333223883250%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D Have you noticed all the stressed babies? Maybe one in 30 I see has glowing eyes, which I take as a sign of thriving. What's up? Perhaps ignorance about babies and their needs. Here are 10 things to know. 1. Babies are social mammals with social mammalian needs. Social mammals emerged more than 30 million years ago with intensive parenting (a developmental nest or niche). This is one of the many (extra-genetic) things that evolved other than genes. This developmental nest is required for an individual to develop properly. Intensive parenting practices for babies include years of breastfeeding to develop brain and body systems, nearly constant touch and physical presence of caregivers, responsiveness to needs preventing distress, free play with multi-aged playmates, and soothing perinatal experiences. Each of these has significant effects on physical health.