My baby’s brain growth
A baby’s brain starts to develop early in pregnancy – even before most women know they are pregnant.
Your baby’s healthy brain development depends on:
- nutrition from healthy foods for the mother while pregnant and for your baby after birth (breastfeeding is ideal)
- stimulation from loving interactions and reliable caregiving that responds to your baby’s needs
- protection from stress such as abuse, neglect, and violence
Most babies’ early experiences are with their parents and other family members. How people interact with babies influences how their brains will grow. The exciting news is that parents naturally do many things that support healthy development. Things like talking, holding, playing, comforting, and protecting children from harm are all important.