Welcome to Daily Bitachon. In our Sha'ar Habechina series, the Chovot HaLevavot says the next thing that we should appreciate in our development is we are a year old or so, we're able to see, we're able to hear, and we're infants. But Hashem puts us for chen and chesed and mercy in the eyes of our parents. That raising us should not be too difficult and they start caring for us more than they care for themselves when it comes to eating and drinking and all the hard work, the bathing, the diapering, all becomes easy. And they do everything they can to protect us. Now how does that happen? Now of course God makes everything happen, but what's the natural explanation for this phenomena? Where does this maternal love stem from? It's a combination of biological, neurological and emotional factors designed by Hashem to ensure infant survival. It's driven by a hormone called oxytocin, which is released during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and supported by brain changes that enhance empathy and nurturing. So this is wonder of wonders. Mothers care about their children, they might not be the biggest baalei middot, they didn't learn Mesilat Yesharim, and yet they're waking up in the middle of the night to take care of their children, because a hormone is released that enhances empathy and nurturing. Wonders of wonders. And a lot of other hormones are shifting, estrogen, prolactin, and they all influence the maternal feelings. The maternal brain undergoes structural changes that prioritize the baby's safety. The vagus nerve is also involved, creating feelings of warmth and dedication. Once upon a time I spoke about the vagus nerve, which is something that's activated when you take deep breaths and you just suddenly calm down. Deep breath, calm down, that's coming from this vagus nerve that runs down your neck. But what does God do? The mother doesn't have time to breathe. That's a saying, I don't have time to breathe. They don't have time to breathe. So God gets this nerve stimulated and creating that feeling of warmth and dedication and calm while the mother is raising her children during those early years. And studies are showing now that gut bacteria can also play a role in influencing maternal nurturing behavior. Studies are still very early in this, but as we spoke about previously, you have what's called gut bacteria that are not part of you, and they help modulate the oxytocin. These bacteria also help communicate between the brain and the vagus nerve. Studies show when these specific bacteria are missing, the oxytocin levels drop and maternal behaviors diminish. So it's fascinating what's going on to bring about this wonder that God put into the mother to care about her children. The next stage is now the child becomes a teenager. Teenagers are difficult, their brains are not developed yet, and yet we don't get disgusted with them, we tolerate them with all their difficulty, and more than that, תגדל הדאגה לו בלבם . We worry about them, we care about them. Another wonder is that children's brains don't develop intellectually until they're older. And this is also a phenomena, that as the body grows, the physical body grows, so too does the intellect also develop, which is very interesting. I mean why what does your intellect and your understanding and your language have to do with the size of your pinky? But somehow everything grows emotionally and physically at the same time. Now why did God make it that way that children don't understand? You know, so what, okay they're small, but why couldn't their brain start working immediately? He says because if they would realize how limited they are, how they can't do anything, how everyone's taking care of them, they would die from de'aga ve'yagon, which literally means anxiety and depression. They would die from anxiety and depression. So therefore, God made that they don't understand. Another wonder. Next wonder, babies cry. God put into babies to cry and there's tremendous benefits from it. And he goes to the doctors of his time that say that the crying causes certain parts of the brain to develop properly. Modern science tells us the reason why we need crying. First of all, communication and safety. It's the primary way that babies call for help, allowing them to express their needs such as hunger, pain, or discomfort. Physical development, the act of crying stimulates the heart and lungs and improves circulation and aids in establishing proper breathing. So crying is actually a breathing therapy. Like when people are in the hospital they have this this gizmo, you blow into it and there's a little ball in there and it goes up. I don't know what it's called, breathalyzer, whatever it may be called, I don't know, but God put that into children that they're constantly developing their lungs. It also helps for emotional regulation. It helps babies release tension and manage emotions, helping them transition from distress to a calmer state. And finally, it causes a bonding and caregiver response. Crying triggers nurturing responses from caregivers, which strengthens the attachment and trust. Children need to get the message that when I cry, there's someone there that cares about me. I live in a world where people care for me. And that comes about by having needs that are fulfilled. So God put into the child a being constantly conditioned, I cry, someone comes and soothes and cares for me. I'm in a world that's a safe world. He's being trained in that important lesson from a young age. And all these wonders and wonders and wonders that Hashem put into creation that we're supposed to be recognizing. So next time you hear a baby cry, don't just say what a baby's cry. There's good reasons why they cry.