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Baby's smile gives mom a natural high
Reuters ^ | July 14, 2008

Posted on 07/14/2008 2:30:57 PM PDT by Kaslin

- it also lights up the reward centers of her brain, according to the results of a brain imaging study.

The finding, investigators say, could go a long way in helping researchers dissect the unique bond between mother and infant and how it sometimes goes wrong.

"The relationship between mothers and infants is critical for child development," Dr. Lane Strathearn, of the Human Neuroimaging Laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston noted in a statement.

"For whatever reason, in some cases, that relationship doesn't develop normally. Neglect and abuse can result, with devastating effects on a child's development," Strathearn explained.

Strathearn and colleagues used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of 28 first-time mothers of 5- to 10-month-old infants while they looked at photos of their own babies and other infants.

In some of the photos babies were smiling or happy. In others, the infants were sad and in some they had neutral expressions.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: psychology
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1 posted on 07/14/2008 2:30:57 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

The mother/child bond is fascinating. 28 mothers isn’t a large sample, but one could certainly see benefits of such a feedback/reward system.


2 posted on 07/14/2008 2:41:33 PM PDT by zencat (Obama isn't an option: (www.McCain-Magnets.com))
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To: Kaslin
"unique bond between mother and infant"

This is impossible because the FemiNazis have assured us there is no difference between men and women.

3 posted on 07/14/2008 2:44:45 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (McCain / Kerry '08! ************* McCain's Dream Ticket, only the names have been reversed)
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To: Kaslin
I'd say I feel pretty high when I look at my baby...

4 posted on 07/14/2008 2:46:54 PM PDT by Lucky9teen (We dont have 2 go 2 a madhouse 2 find disordered minds; earth is the mental institution of theworld)
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To: Kaslin
Photobucket

Some moms have a weird sense of humor.

5 posted on 07/14/2008 2:48:57 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Lucky9teen

Awwwwwwwwwwww. :)


6 posted on 07/14/2008 2:49:02 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Lucky9teen

She looks childish.


7 posted on 07/14/2008 2:50:21 PM PDT by Petronski (Scripture & Tradition must be accepted & honored w/equal sentiments of devotion & reverence. CCC 82)
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To: Kaslin; evets

Now Dad's feelin' pretty good.

8 posted on 07/14/2008 2:51:14 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: martin_fierro

Thank you, sir! May I have another?!


9 posted on 07/14/2008 2:52:20 PM PDT by airborne (God gives us countless opportunities! It's up to us to use them wisely!)
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To: Kaslin

The smiles of my grandchildren do it for me ^every time^...and, last I looked, I ain’t a mom (or even a chick).


10 posted on 07/14/2008 2:55:50 PM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel
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To: Kaslin
When women talk, they get the same chemical reaction in their brains as a heroine addict. That's why women blab blab blab BLAB so much - they're just getting high.

I'm convinced that's why cell phones are so popular these days. Women don't use them to talk necessarily, they use them to get high. A cell phone to a woman is like a bong to a pothead.

Just my opinion, of course.

11 posted on 07/14/2008 2:57:30 PM PDT by IDontLikeToPayTaxes
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To: zencat

I noticed it too as a grandmother. It’s not just there. Something happens..maybe an eye contact and you are bonded forever.


12 posted on 07/14/2008 3:05:14 PM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: IDontLikeToPayTaxes

My husband has bonded to his cell phone. Does it work for guys too?


13 posted on 07/14/2008 3:08:00 PM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: CindyDawg

Me too! How about when they smile at you for the first time. OH MY GOSH!!! There’s nothing like it! I don’t think it’s just moms. It happens to us Grandma’s and I’d be willing to bet that the same thing happens to dad’s and grandpa’s too!


14 posted on 07/14/2008 3:09:36 PM PDT by Softballmom
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To: Softballmom

Yeah...the ole tuffys wouldn’t admit it though.


15 posted on 07/14/2008 3:12:42 PM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: Petronski

She’s only 5 months there...that’s pretty childish. ;)


16 posted on 07/14/2008 3:15:38 PM PDT by Lucky9teen (We dont have 2 go 2 a madhouse 2 find disordered minds; earth is the mental institution of theworld)
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To: Kaslin

17 posted on 07/14/2008 3:18:47 PM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: Kaslin

Of course DAD’s don’t feel this kind of love for their children...


18 posted on 07/14/2008 3:19:43 PM PDT by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help)
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To: Lucky9teen

I bet she acts like a baby too.

;OP


19 posted on 07/14/2008 3:22:05 PM PDT by Petronski (Scripture & Tradition must be accepted & honored w/equal sentiments of devotion & reverence. CCC 82)
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel

Yeah, I think everyone has the same reaction to a happy baby, at least everybody who is normal.


20 posted on 07/14/2008 3:30:57 PM PDT by yarddog
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