Oxytocin is a hormone that is often referred to as the “hormone of love” or the “bonding hormone” because it plays a crucial role in fostering the bond between a mother and her child (1).
It is produced in the hypothalamus, a warm and nurturing region of the brain that is responsible for releasing hormones that regulate various important physiological functions (2).
Once created, oxytocin is stored in the posterior pituitary gland, ready to be released into the bloodstream. It then travels through the bloodstream, seeking out specific receptors in various regions of the brain and throughout the body. The receptors for oxytocin can be found in the hypothalamus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, as well as in nurturing places like the uterus and mammary glands (3).
During pregnancy, oxytocin levels rise, helping to create a connection between the mother and her growing baby.
During labor, oxytocin is responsible for starting and continuing contractions and powering the uterus muscle (4).
After birth, oxytocin continues to play a special role in motherhood by helping the mother to form a strong attachment to her baby, promoting nurturing and maternal behaviors. The release of oxytocin during breastfeeding further promotes bonding (5).
Oxytocin makes the myoepithelial cells around the alveoli contract. This makes the milk, which has collected in the alveoli, flow along and fill the ducts (21) (see Figure 5). Sometimes the milk is ejected in fine streams.

FIGURE 5
The oxytocin reflex is also sometimes called the “letdown reflex” or the “milk ejection reflex”. Oxytocin is produced more quickly than prolactin. It makes the milk that is already in the breast flow for the current feed, and helps the baby to get the milk easily.
Oxytocin starts working when a mother expects a feed as well as when the baby is suckling. The reflex becomes conditioned to the mother's sensations and feelings, such as touching, smelling or seeing her baby, or hearing her baby cry, or thinking lovingly about him or her. If a mother is in severe pain or emotionally upset, the oxytocin reflex may become inhibited, and her milk may suddenly stop flowing well. If she receives support, is helped to feel comfortable and lets the baby continue to breastfeed, the milk will flow again (5).
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