Factor #2: Regular, hands-on involvement with the baby appears to catalyze the greatest brain change
Scientists were curious as to why there was a wide range of brain impacts among new fathers. But they noted a major difference based on where study participants lived. Although most fathers had brain changes that supported better attention toward their infants, the effect was less pronounced among U.S. men and more pronounced in men from Spain – where, as it happens, generous paternity leaves are the norm. Weeks or months of paternity leave generally allow Spanish fathers to spend much more time with their newborns – and the brain responds accordingly.
More research is needed, but greater time and hands-on involvement simply seem to catalyze greater brain change to help men more confidently interact with the baby. (And toddler, and child, and adolescent, and …)
Since most men want to be great dads, we now have data to suggest that early, hands-on involvement may trigger brain activity that actually helps them in this pursuit.
And the good news may not stop with the newborn years.
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