The Magical Hormone: Oxytocin’s Wonderful Benefits for New Mothers

Oxytocin – the ‘love’ hormone, is released during labour to assist with contraction pain. (I’m referring to the body’s natural oxytocin not the synthetic one women are expected to have in hospital). (Scroll to the bottom to view the video instead)

It’s not only for labour. It’s an important hormone for postpartum, for all mamas. It helps you to bond with and fall in love with your baby. It’s linked to ‘baby brain’ where you are all present with your little one and nothing else matters kinda feeling. The ‘gooey in the head’ feeling.

It even helps you accept and move through the repetition of routine with a new baby, you know – the 24 hour cycle of sleep, feed, change the nappy, feed, sleep, change the nappy….

Oxytocin is pretty magical. It also helps you digest your foods. Oxytocin lowers stress which is super important as a new mother’s digestive enzymes are lower. So if you’re stressed, your tummy is going to shut down even more.

Breastfeeding is also affected by oxytocin levels, because it helps with the let down of the milk.

Overall, it’s your happy drug. It’s super important to have things in place that support oxytocin. You see, it’s not a hormone that stays level. It fluctuates, and there are things you can do to release more of it.

Do something you love, eat something you enjoy, watch a movie that brings you joy.

If you’re finding it challenging to know where to start:

Here’s 5 suggestions

1. Delicious Skin to skin with baby go into the morning sun

2. Savour something delicious by eating it consciously

3. put your favourite music on and sing

4. Have cuddles with your partner, best friend or kids or everyone all at once!

5. Enjoy a soak in a warm bath

What brings you joy?

Take note and bring this into your daily life

It’s important self care. If it’s affecting you positively it’s going to be affecting your baby and family positively too

Jot down some things that make you feel happy. (Eg: singing, nature walks, a cup of hot cacao, cuddles with your partner/other kids, having a bath with your baby)

Pick one that you can do today, and go for it.

If you’re only a few days/weeks postpartum, keep the nature walk to your own garden. Stay in your home environment for the moment.

Needing some extra help to bring health and self-care back in to your life ? Contact me here.