Primal Caregiving and Infants as “Predator Beacons”: How Ancient Instincts Shape Modern Parenting and Anxiety

When MIT grad student Tomer Ullman presented his humorous hypothesis at the BAHFest in 2013, he likely didn’t expect it to spark discussions about the psychology of caregiving and how ancient survival mechanisms could still influence modern-day parenting and anxiety. Ullman proposed that, in ancient times, babies’ screams acted as “predator beacons” in the middle of combat—serving as motivation for warriors to fight. This provocative theory, while not based in historical fact, provides a unique lens through which we can explore primal caregiving and how the stress responses of infants continue to affect us in modern parenting.

The Evolutionary Context: Infants as “Predator Beacons”

Imagine a time when survival was uncertain, and families lived in close-knit, nomadic groups. Babies, with their lack of mobility and complete dependence, represented both a strength and a vulnerability. Ullman’s playful idea of “infant stress vocalizations” as a “weapon of war” plays off a real evolutionary function. A baby’s cry is designed to capture adult attention instantly. From an evolutionary perspective, the cry is an alert system that likely kept caregivers on guard, aware of potential predators or threats.

In Ullman’s mock theory, babies strapped to warriors’ backs might amplify this survival signal—a rallying cry that spurred fighters into battle with a heightened sense of purpose. While it’s a humorous take, it draws upon real biological responses. Even today, a baby’s cry triggers a primal reaction in adults, flooding our systems with adrenaline and heightening focus and readiness.

Primal Caregiving in Modern Parenting

Parenting in the modern world still taps into these ancient caregiving instincts, but now, instead of preparing us for physical combat, these responses gear us up to face a different set of stressors. Babies today don’t cry because there’s a predator nearby; they cry to communicate hunger, discomfort, or a need for reassurance. Yet, the instinctual reaction remains powerful. This is why a baby’s cry can feel almost impossible to ignore—it’s a survival mechanism honed over millennia.

Today’s parents face a unique challenge in handling these biological responses in environments that rarely involve life-or-death situations. Unlike our ancestors, modern parents might be exposed to frequent stressors like work obligations, social pressures, and safety concerns, which can make the stress responses triggered by caregiving feel relentless. This constant state of alertness, combined with a lack of support from extended family structures, can easily contribute to the high levels of anxiety many parents report.

Babywearing: A Primal Comfort and a Source of Anxiety Relief

Babywearing is often touted as a practice that enhances parent-child bonding and allows caregivers to go about their daily activities hands-free. But it also taps into that primal sense of connection and protection. When a baby is close, both baby and parent can feel more secure, calming some of those ancient stress responses. The closeness of babywearing mirrors the warmth and closeness that infants would have experienced in ancient times, nestled against the bodies of their caregivers in caves or open landscapes.

In a way, babywearing becomes a modern “armor” for parents—providing physical proximity that helps soothe the baby and reduces stress for the caregiver. For parents, feeling their child’s heartbeat against their chest can shift their focus away from day-to-day worries, bringing them back to the present and fostering a sense of purpose, much like Ullman’s imagined scenario of warriors gaining strength from the cries of their children.

Anxiety, Parenting, and the Modern “Predator”

The predator may be gone, but the anxiety remains. Modern life introduces different kinds of “predators” that contribute to parental stress: fears of health issues, safety concerns, social comparisons, and work-life balance pressures. These stressors don’t require physical combat, but they can take a toll on parents’ mental and emotional well-being. Just as warriors might have used the cries of children as motivation in Ullman’s imagined battles, modern parents draw strength from their children in the face of these new challenges. For some, anxiety about “doing everything right” in parenting can feel like a constant background noise, much like the ever-alert vigilance that once helped early humans survive.

Embracing the Power of Primal Caregiving

Despite the challenges of modern parenting, our primal instincts to care for our children are profoundly empowering. They enable us to respond with patience, provide comfort, and create a safe environment in which our children can thrive. Ullman’s playful hypothesis may exaggerate the use of infant cries as a literal war tactic, but it underscores a deep truth: our children’s needs spur us to action, sometimes giving us the strength to endure difficult situations.

In a way, modern parents engage in their own battles—against stress, societal expectations, and self-doubt. The instinctual power of caregiving, rooted in ancient evolutionary mechanisms, can provide the resilience and focus needed to navigate today’s parenting challenges. Recognizing these instincts for what they are and giving ourselves permission to respond naturally can help mitigate some of the anxiety that arises from living in a world disconnected from our primal roots.

In the end, perhaps Ullman’s theory contains an unexpected insight: the power of caregiving, even amid stress and anxiety, is a profound force—one that, despite the passage of time, still shapes us in ways both practical and deeply meaningful.

Conclusion

In those challenging moments with a crying infant or navigating the ups and downs of growth phases, remember that support is available. Parenting is a journey, and it doesn’t have to be taken alone. Postpartum doula care can make all the difference by offering hands-on support with newborn care, parenting education, breastfeeding guidance, and so much more. If you're feeling overwhelmed or simply need an extra hand, please reach out—I'm here to support you and your family every step of the way. Contact me to learn how we can make this transition smoother and more joyful for you and your little one.

Warmly,

Lyndsay