Phone use among mothers ‘can affect babies’ brain development’

Mothers could be adversely impacting the neurological development of their children by using their phones too often.

This is according to a new study from the University of California – Irvine, which has revealed the impact of fragmented and unpredictable maternal care on infant brain development, and the risk of subsequent emotional disorders this can cause.

By studying rodents, the researchers were able to determine that numerous everyday interruptions when mothers are nurturing their infants can deny children the predictable and continuous stimuli they need to grow robust neuronal networks.

This could increase the likelihood of risky behaviour, drug-seeking and depression in adolescence and adult life.

Dr Tallie Baram of the University of California – Irvine's Conte Center on Brain Programming in Adolescent Vulnerabilities said: "We might wish to turn off the mobile phone when caring for baby, and be predictable and consistent."

Efforts are now being made to examine the trend in human mothers and infants using video analysis of care, imaging technology to measure brain development, and psychological and cognitive testing.