Be Inspired: Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain by Sue Gerhardt

Book title:

Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain

Author:

Sue Gerhardt

How love affection shapes a baby’s brain, especially on social and emotional brain systems, during the development in the early years? What are its lasting consequences?

How the development of the brain affects the child’s future emotional well being?

Through the many examples, illustrations and case studies, Why Love Matters combines the discoveries in neuroscience, psychology, psychoanalysis and biochemistry to answer on how our emotional lives work and why early ‘pathways’ can affect how we respond to stress when we grow up.

The content is divided into 3 parts:

Part 1 The Foundations: Babies and Their Brains	·         Back to the Beginning ·         Building a Brain ·         Corrosive Cortisol
Part 2 Shaky Foundations and Their Consequences	·         Trying Not to Feel ·         Melancholy Baby ·         Active Harm ·         Torment ·         Original Sin
Part 3 Too Much Information, Not Enough Solution	·         “If all else fails, hug your teddybear” ·         Birth of the Future

This book is highly recommended by the professionals and parents alike. Here are some of the reviews:

"I would like to add to that positive view and suggest that this book be on every reading list you offer to new parents, politicians, clients, colleagues, family and friends."
- Jeannie Wright, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling

"Sue Gerhardt's choice of title reflects the loving attention to detail that is the essence of this book... excellently researched and well-written book which deserves to be widely read by practitioners, researchers and parents."
- Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

"Gerhardt's book offers perhaps one of the most concise arguments for why love and affection in early life truly do matter. Written with clear and direct language, this text can serve as a general resource for mental health professionals and parents alike."

- Rachel Altamirano, Clinical Social Work Journal