Oxytocin Nasal Spray Enhances Mother-Child Contact in Postpartum Depression

Recent research conducted by Radboud University and Radboudumc has shed light on the potential benefits of oxytocin nasal spray for mothers experiencing postpartum depression. The study found that administering oxytocin can lead to more positive and affectionate responses from mothers toward their infants, thereby improving their immediate interaction. Although the hormone did not significantly alter caregiving behaviors, stress levels, or feelings of wellbeing, it did foster better physical contact and warmth during mother-infant interactions.

Postpartum depression often manifests as feelings of sadness, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and excessive worry about the baby, which can hinder the mother's ability to connect emotionally. To explore potential interventions, scientists tested whether oxytocin could facilitate more positive contact between mothers with postpartum depression and their children aged between 3 to 9 months.

In the experiment, mothers received two types of nasal spray in separate sessions: one containing oxytocin and a placebo. Neither the mothers nor the researchers knew the treatment type during each session to ensure unbiased results. Researchers observed that after oxytocin administration, mothers exhibited increased warmth, enthusiasm, smiling, and physical affection toward their babies, accompanied by reports of more positive feelings. This establishes a causal link between oxytocin and enhanced maternal affect during interactions.

However, the hormone did not improve maternal sensitivity or caregiving quality, nor did it impact cortisol levels or heart rate, which are indicators of stress. Researchers suggest that the effect might be more noticeable during stressful moments, such as crying episodes, and plan to examine this in future studies.

While oxytocin should not be viewed as a cure for postpartum depression, these findings indicate its role in positively influencing mother-infant bonds. The study proposes that increasing oxytocin through activities like physical contact, baby massage, or skin-to-skin contact could serve as supportive interventions for mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms.

This research underscores the importance of supportive contact strategies in postpartum care and opens avenues for non-pharmacological interventions to foster better mother-child relationships.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-oxytocin-contact-mothers-postpartum-depression.html