Oxytocin Mediates a Calming Effect on Postpartum Mood in Primiparous Mothers

Abstract Objectives: The current study sought to characterize changes in salivary oxytocin (OT) secretion patterns across the breastfeeding cycle, and to evaluate whether breastfeeding has a positive effect on mood disturbances related to postpartum depression, via endogenous OT release. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four primiparous mothers who delivered vaginally at term and were exclusively breastfeeding were examined 4–5 days postpartum. Salivary OT was measured using enzyme immunoassays at 30 minutes before breastfeeding (baseline), during breastfeeding (feeding), and 30 minutes after completing breastfeeding (postfeeding). In addition, maternal mood changes were evaluated at baseline and postfeeding using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. Results: OT levels rose significantly during feeding (pcorr < .05) and postfeeding (pcorr < 0.05), compared with baseline. POMS scores for Tension–Anxiety were decreased postfeeding compared with baseline (p < 0.001). This decrease was significantly ...