Anyone else seen this article in The Observer today?

[TheRealMBJ]

Raises interesting questions regarding the social function of oxytocin

[MoonFaceMamaaaaargh]

That's really interesting. Ties in with something i read in "bf older children" about bf children having more oxytocin receptors due to the oxytocin from bf, and bennefits this may have.

[HumptyDumpty1]

That's really interesting (runs off to show biological psychology lecturer..!)

[TheRealMBJ]

It does make me think about society in general and whether we would all benefit if more people had greater sensitivity to oxytocin?

[HumptyDumpty1]

Is it actually in breastmilk?

[TheRealMBJ]

No, but the act of bf releases oxytocin in moth mother and baby and increases the amount of oxytocin receptors in the child, thereby making them more sensitive to oxytocin. So, would be more responsive to it's effects

[MoonFaceMamaaaaargh]

Think there is some in bm too but they don't know that it can be absorbed/have any affect when digested iyswim...It's mostly about what MBJ describes.

[TheRealMBJ]

There must be some in BM, come to think of it as BM is made from mums blood so if it is circulating in the blood stream, there must be at least a little in BM.

[MoonFaceMamaaaaargh]

Assuming the molecules are the right size to pass through whatever they have to get through to become milk...or summat

[coldcomfortHeart]

Interesting- i posted about this the other day. i can really feel the oxytocin before let down,and feel sure it must be doing something good!

[TheRealMBJ]

[HumptyDumpty1]

Ooo interesting! I wondered why bf always made me feel calmer when DH decides to do my napper in

[HeyYouJimmy]

That article makes me wonder if I was lacking it when I BF, as I felt irritated and unnerved when BF DS and DD.

[TheRealMBJ]

HeyYouJimmy sorry to hear you had negative feelings during bf .

Does this sound familiar? just wondering because D-MER is really under-recognised and is treatable.