What is Oxytocin and how is it related to breastfeeding?

New moms get to hear the term ‘oxytocin’ quite often. This little hormone is popular as the ‘love hormone’ and there are reasons for that. It is related to your motherly love in an intricate way apart from its other relations.

What you might not know is that oxytocin is related to your breastfeeding as well. In this article, you will find out how deeply it is related to your breastfeeding:

What are the functions of Oxytocin?

First, let us discuss what is oxytocin?

The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland in the brain releases oxytocin. The pituitary gland has the size of a pea and is present at the base of your brain.

When you cuddle or hug someone, your brain releases oxytocin. It causes your uterine to contract during labor and it also helps in shrinking the uterus after the delivery. It enhances relaxation as well and helps you in getting rid of stress.

How is it related to Breastfeeding?

During breastfeeding, oxytocin is responsible for the muscles in the breasts to contract, which triggers the let-down reflex. In let-down, milk-making lands squeeze milk into the milk ducts so your breast milk goes through your breast into the mouth of the baby.

Oxytocin keeps getting released in the body when you breastfeed to maintain your milk supply and helps you in the expression o the same.

It makes you feel relaxed and happy when it’s released, especially during breastfeeding but it can also make you feel sleepy. Some moms feel a headache because of this hormone as well.

The release of oxytocin, right after giving birth, can be really painful because of the uterine contractions that could be similar to cramps. It is essential because it reduces postpartum bleeding and allows your uterus to return to its normal size.

How to see if your body has released Oxytocin?

When you feel a tingling in your breast, or uterus cramping, you can be certain that your body has released oxytocin. You will also feel relaxed, happy and could hear your baby swallow when it was released.

Sometimes new moms face the problem of their breasts ‘leaking’ when they hear a baby cry. It’s also because of oxytocin.

Does it keep releasing?

There are some things that can hinder the release of oxytocin:

-    Pain. After giving birth, if a mom is experiencing a lot of pain, it can disturb the release of oxytocin. Pain medication is prescribed in this case.

-    Drinking alcohol or smoking. Both of them can affect the release of oxytocin in your body.

-    Stress. It becomes difficult for your body to release the love hormone when you’re stressed out.

Due to these reasons, it is always necessary for a new mom to get proper nutrition and take full care of herself so she and her baby remain healthy.

Conclusion

With the above article, you shouldn’t have any more doubts regarding oxytocin and its importance. Understanding the science behind such activities helps you prepare, doesn’t it?

In case you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask us.