Mother's Day: The Science of Being a Mom

In honor of Mother's Day, here is a roundup of some recent findings about the science of being a mom.

FERTILITY AND APPETITE. The very same gene that is responsible for regulating appetite is also responsible for regulating fertility, according to Marc Montminy of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, who reported on his research in the August 31, 2008, online edition of the medical journal Nature Medicine. "This gene is crucial to the daisy chain of signals that run between body fat and the brain. It likely plays a pivotal role in determining how much we, as humans, eat and whether we have offspring." Montminy's research may lead to a greater understanding of the link between body fat and reproductive difficulties as well as the development of new drug treatments for both men and women.

THE SCENT OF A MOM. Nothing beats the scent of mom to a baby. Nathalie Goubet and her colleagues in the Department of Psychology at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, researched the effects of scent on infants. and found that a familiar scent -- such as the scent of mom -- can be so soothing to a young baby that it can actually help to minimize the amount of pain experienced during a heel pinprick test (a standard newborn test).

LITTLE GREEN MONSTERS. Maria Legerstee, a professor in York's Department of Psychology, has discovered that babies as young as three months of age, exhibit symptoms of jealousy when their mothers engage in conversations with other people. The reactions may range from a whine or an angry mumble to crying and kicking. (Babies are anything but subtle.)

RIDING THE ADHD ROLLERCOASTER AS PARENTS. Raising a child with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) can take its toll on your relationship with your partner.  Researchers from the State University of New York (Buffalo), who published their findings in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that couples who have a child with ADHD tend to argue more and to perceive their partner as being less supportive than other parents. The good news is that, if you can hang in there as a couple until your child's eighth birthday, you'll likely find that the strain on your relationship begins to ease up. In the meantime, you may want to seek counseling for help in surviving what can be a rather wild ride.

Have a fantastic Mother's Day with your family. 

- Ann