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Oxytocin (OT) has potential to be a treatment for postpartum depression (PPD). Oxytocin is released when a mother cares for her child, making the interaction pleasurable [2] . Mothers that report high levels of infant-mother bonding and demonstrate responsive and sensitive parenting generally show increased levels of OT and brain reward center ...
Oxytocin is believed to provide a feedback loop, meaning that maternal-infant contact increases oxytocin and oxytocin increases maternal behavior and facilitates bonding. [32] In one study oxytocin also played a role on mother reported attachment to her fetus. [33]
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide normally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. [4] Present in animals since early stages of evolution, in humans it plays roles in behavior that include social bonding, love, reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth.
[13] [59] These hormonal changes occur through the father's interaction with the mother and his offspring. [1] Oxytocin levels are positively correlated with the amount of affection the father displays towards the child. [60] In humans, and in other primate species, lower levels of testosterone have been linked to the display of paternal ...
This bond increases the mother's and child's abilities to control their emotions, reduce the stress response and encourages healthy social development in the child. [21] Physical contact during breastfeeding increases levels of oxytocin in the mother and child, which improves the mother-child bond.
A surge of oxytocin also causes the uterus to contract. During breastfeeding, mothers may feel these contractions as afterpains. These may range from period-like cramps to strong labour-like contractions and can be more severe with second and subsequent babies. [15] [16]
As for the mothers, oxytocin released during lactation does not only promote milk supply but it also triggers the expression of motherhood. Although the mechanism of oxytocin-inducing maternal love has yet to be elucidated, various studies indicate that oxytocin encourages the mammalian motherly behaviours and provides anti-stress effects. [35]
Maternal oxytocin circulation is said to predispose women to bond and show bonding behavior, [5] [6] although this has been disputed. [7] Breastfeeding is also strongly believed to foster the bond, via touch, response and mutual gazing as it stimulates the experience with the baby gazing up and down the mother and drinking from the mother's ...