There is a reason you instinctively carry your children on your left arm. And a study can tell you why it’s an instinct mums all over are hard-wired to do.
When I first read about this study, I had to look through my photos and see which arm I carried my children on and it seems I’m one of the 70-85 per cent of women who carry their children on their left side.
The reason?
The authors of the study say we carry our children on our left side as it allows for the right side of the brain to process information and specifically emotions.
For me, carrying my child on my left arm allows me to keep my stronger arm (cause I’m right handed) free to do things one handed.
But the study published in the Nature Ecology and Evolution found there’s an emotional stem to why we carry our babies on our left as opposed to our right.
The study explored humans and other animals and found that left-side bias contributes to mother-child bonding. The right side of the brain helps mum make sense of what she sees and allows her to recognise her baby’s expressions and decipher what they need.
Next time you hold your children, take a note of which side you’re carrying your child and if it’s the left, know that you’re instinctively keeping your baby safe and you’re creating an emotional connection with your child.
Another story/theory that I seem to go against. All my children plus my grand daughter were/are carried on my right hip as it feels better/easier. Beginning to think some people are running out of things to do and poking at anything that might spark an interest.