During childbirth, oxytocin causes the uterus to contract and push out the baby. It’s also involved in orgasm, and it plays a pivotal role in breastfeeding. Oxytocin is also known as the mothering hormone, the bonding hormone, the anti-stress hormone, and the love hormone.
Why Oxytocin Is Important in Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding stimulates the release of oxytocin from your brain. Oxytocin allows your baby to get breast milk from your breasts, and it causes your uterus to shrink down after the birth of your baby. Although breastfeeding can be a challenge for some, oxytocin triggers the let-down reflex and can foster bonding, both of which can help make breastfeeding easier.
The Let-Down Reflex
When your baby latches on to breastfeed, and their mouth touches your breasts—especially your nipples—the nerve cells in your breasts send a signal to your brain to release oxytocin. The oxytocin causes the muscles around the milk-making glands in your breast to contract. When the glands contract, they squeeze the breast milk into the milk ducts. The milk ducts also contract to push the breast milk through your breast, and out of the nipple to your baby. This release of breast milk is called the let-down reflex. As your baby continues to breastfeed, more oxytocin is released, and breast milk continues to flow out of your breasts and to your baby. The release of oxytocin while you’re breastfeeding may make you feel sleepy and relaxed. It can raise your body temperature so you may feel hot while you’re nursing. It can also make you feel thirsty, or even give you a headache. Oxytocin can also cause your milk to let down when you’re not breastfeeding. You may find that your breasts leak breast milk when you think about breastfeeding or hear your baby cry.
Bonding With Your Baby
The release of oxytocin that happens during breastfeeding can also help you create a strong emotional bond with your baby. The hormone is responsible for the feelings of love that creates a desire to nurture your child. During breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, both mom and baby produce oxytocin. Skin-to-skin contact is often recommended immediately after birth to help increase oxytocin release. This helps the baby seek out and latch to the breast, creates a strong attachment, and increase the chances of breastfeeding success.
Oxytocin Release and Lactation
Oxytocin plays a crucial role in the lactation process because it is responsible for milk ejection. If you experience issues breastfeeding, it is worth evaluating how your body may or may not be releasing the hormone.
Signs of Oxytocin Release
How can you tell if the oxytocin in your body is doing what it’s supposed to do? Here are some of the signs you can look for:
A tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in your breasts Cramping in your uterus when you breastfeed Hearing your baby swallow while you’re breastfeeding Seeing breast milk leaking from your breasts Feeling happy and relaxed after you feed your baby
Problems With Oxytocin Release
Some conditions can interfere with the release of oxytocin, which might cause difficulty with breastfeeding. If you are in pain after the birth of your baby, especially if you’ve had a c-section, the pain could interfere with the release of oxytocin. Any breast surgery that involves moving the areola or cutting the nerves around the nipple can be problematic for breastfeeding. The nerves in the nipple are needed to signal your brain to release the oxytocin and get your milk flowing. Any nerve damage in that area could interfere with let-down reflex and the removal of the milk from your breasts. Stress, fatigue, illness, fear, embarrassment, drinking alcohol, and smoking can all affect the release of oxytocin, interfere with your let-down reflex, and keep your baby from getting the breast milk from your body.
How to Stimulate Oxytocin Release
If you experience problems with oxytocin release, there are ways to trigger production of the hormone, and thereby milk let-down, to help overcome breastfeeding struggles. Here are some things to try:
Cuddle with your babyLook at your baby’s photo when they are not with youRelax your body to reduce stressTake a warm shower or apply a warm, moist compress to the breastEngage in direct skin-to-skin contact with your baby on your chestGently massage your breastsFind a quiet, comfortable area away from distractionsAvoid alcohol and smoking
If you’re in pain, you should take the pain medication that your doctor has prescribed for you. It may make your baby a little sleepy, but it can help you to feel more comfortable and get breastfeeding off to the right start. For women who have difficulty getting their milk to let down, a doctor can prescribe an artificial form of oxytocin called Pitocin in a nasal spray. It is taken right before breastfeeding or pumping to help bring about let-down and get the breast milk flowing. It can cause headaches for a mother, but it does not affect the baby or breast milk.
Oxytocin and Uterine Cramps
When your baby is breastfeeding, and oxytocin is released, it triggers contractions of the uterus. These uterine contractions are often called after pains and they feel similar to menstrual cramps. In the first few days after childbirth, after pains can be very strong and, as the name suggests, painful. But these uterine contractions help to lessen the amount of postpartum bleeding and prevent hemorrhage. They also allow the uterus to shrink back down to its normal, not-pregnant size more quickly. Breastfeeding during a new pregnancy is usually safe. However, since oxytocin, can cause contractions, breastfeeding during a high-risk pregnancy may not be recommended. If you’re carrying twins or more, or have a history of premature labor, your doctor may advise you to avoid breastfeeding to prevent labor from starting too soon. Oxytocin is also released during physical intimacy and orgasm. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, sex can also cause uterine contractions and premature labor. If your doctor advises you against breastfeeding, she may also ask you to avoid a physical relationship with your partner, as well.
