(NaturalPath) According to a study out of the University of Utah, certain parenting strategies can combat the negative impacts of maternal depression on an infant. Depression in reaction to stressors can be passed to the child and negatively impact them in ways that manifest after birth such as birth weight, brain development and an increased susceptibility to various ailments.
Drawing inspiration from animal studies suggesting maternal behavior could “buffer” the child against the effects of maternal depression, the researchers sought to determine whether, and how, the quality of the postnatal environment is related to genetics involved in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning and infants’ neuroendocrine functioning in humans.
The study involved evaluating 128 infants of women with self-reported symptoms of depression and DNA from the infants through the saliva.
For more information, read the full study.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160211185003.htm
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.