Studies reveal how instability may shape infant attention, brain activity and emotional regulation
A baby's brain is always listening, watching and learning—even when the world around it is chaotic and makes no sense.
Three recent studies led by UC Irvine psychologist Denise Werchan reveal how environmental instability during infancy can affect a baby's attention, information processing, and emotional regulation. The research distinguishes between households that are chronically unpredictable and those that are more predictable, despite similar resources.
Werchan explains that babies are "prediction machines," constantly tracking patterns to learn about their environment. When faced with unpredictability, they may shift their gaze more frequently during attention tasks. In one study, infants from households with fluctuating resources showed increased gaze shifts compared to those with stable conditions.
Another study examined how unpredictable interactions with caregivers impact an infant's brain activity and autonomic function. When caregivers' behaviors switched unpredictably, 3-month-olds exhibited reduced frontal brain activity and lower heart rate variability, both linked to attention and information processing. A more predictable interaction pattern, like a familiar nursery rhyme, gives babies a clearer sense of what to expect.
The third study explored whether a naturally occurring neurosteroid in breast milk could buffer the effects of maternal stress on infant regulation. Allopregnanolone, found in breast milk, appeared to weaken the connection between maternal postpartum distress and the baby's emotional and behavioral regulation. However, the study emphasizes that the findings should not pressure mothers to breastfeed, but rather highlight the importance of maternal mental health support.
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