A new study conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) has found that the oxytocin system, which plays a crucial role in breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding, may be disrupted in mothers experiencing postnatal depression. Published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, this research investigates the link between maternal mood and the oxytocin pathway during breastfeeding, comparing mothers with and without symptoms of postnatal depression.
What is Oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a hormone that is released in both the brain and body, playing a central role in childbirth and breastfeeding. It is often referred to as the “bonding hormone” due to its involvement in social relationships, particularly intimacy and the attachment process between mothers and infants. During breastfeeding, oxytocin triggers the “let-down” reflex, which releases the mother’s milk. Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby also stimulates the release of oxytocin in both.
Oxytocin has additional benefits beyond breastfeeding; it interacts with specific brain regions to reduce stress and stimulate feelings of reward, helping to strengthen the bond between mother and infant while supporting early infant development.
The Impact of Postnatal Depression on Oxytocin
Postnatal depression is a significant issue, affecting more than one in 10 women in the UK within a year of childbirth. Symptoms include persistent low mood, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Mothers experiencing postnatal depression often report increased stress during breastfeeding, which can make the early months of motherhood especially challenging. However, until now, it was unclear whether postnatal depression might directly affect the oxytocin system during breastfeeding.
Study Methodology
The study involved 62 new mothers aged 23 to 44, all with infants between three and nine months old. Each participant received a nasal spray containing either oxytocin or a placebo before breastfeeding. Breast milk samples were collected during breastfeeding and analyzed for oxytocin levels.
Key Findings
The researchers found that oxytocin levels in breast milk were not influenced by mothers’ mood at baseline. However, when mothers without postnatal depression were given the nasal spray containing oxytocin, their oxytocin levels in breast milk increased as expected. In contrast, this effect was significantly reduced in mothers who were experiencing postnatal depression.
Dr. Kate Lindley Baron-Cohen, the lead author of the study from UCL’s Psychology & Language Sciences, explains, “Our findings indicate that the oxytocin system is affected by postnatal depression in new mothers in the context of breastfeeding. Since higher levels of oxytocin in mothers are associated with positive outcomes in a child’s social development and mental health, these results suggest a potential pathway through which infants of mothers experiencing postnatal depression may be at greater risk of developing mental health vulnerabilities later in life.”
Implications for Future Research
These findings open up a new direction for research, suggesting that the oxytocin system could be an important factor in postnatal depression and breastfeeding challenges. The study calls for further exploration into how oxytocin is impacted by postnatal depression and what treatments might be most effective in supporting mothers who wish to breastfeed but face difficulties due to their mental health struggles.
Conclusion
This study highlights the intricate connection between maternal mental health and the oxytocin system, suggesting that postnatal depression may disrupt the hormonal pathways that support breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding. These findings underscore the need for further research into the oxytocin system in postnatal depression and the development of effective strategies to support mothers experiencing these challenges.
The research was supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research ARC North Thames, the Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation, Wellcome, the University of York, the Fund for Psychoanalytic Research through the American Psychoanalytic Association, the International Psychoanalytical Association, the Michael Samuel Charitable Trust, the Denman Charitable Trust, and the Galvani Foundation.
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