5 Starting to Lose It
Instructions from the vagus nerve
cause the muscles in the larynx to
tighten, which prevents the vocal folds
from vibrating normally. Once- discrete
tones bleed together, a phenome-
non called dysphonation. The overall
pitch jumps to around 6 or 7 kilohertz
(toward the upper end of tones we
can hear). Caregivers pick up on both
changes, but the frequency is their pri-
mary clue that the kid is really upset.4 Escalating Tension
As the vagal signal pumps up a kid’s
pulse, it also quickens their breath-
ing. Faster inhales and exhales mean
shorter wails and briefer pauses in
between them—dropping from full
seconds to fractions. Adult brains
register the silences (it’s unclear
how cries impact caregiving siblings).
A long break, like the one seen here,
telegraphs to parents that the
situation is not dire. At least, not yet.
6 Finally Comforted
When an urgent cry hits the adult ear,
it activates an alarm in a brain circuit
called the thalamocingulate pathway,
directing a parent’s attention to the
baby. Next, dopamine hits in the mid-
brain, prompting them to approach
the child. A series of signals pingpong
through regions associated with
empathy and emotion. The result: an
urge to comfort the kid, which should
(eventually) put an end to their wails.4 5 6