Post Natal Depression and Hormones Effect Dad Too! The Importance of a Kangaroo Mother Care Family

Much has been written about a woman's hormones before during and after pregnancy, as well as how many of the same hormones affect her baby, but usually when one thinks of the father and hormones, usually only one comes to mind: Testosterone. While testosterone plays a significant role in dad's life, when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth and bonding, he gets his share of hormonal changes too.

Oxytocin, sometimes called the "love hormone" is present during intercourse for both partners. When the man finds out he is going to be a father, and as the reality sinks in, the stress hormone cortisol is released, which, for some men, results in sheet panic at the prospect. As the time of birth gets closer oxytocin and vasopressin increase, as does prolactin, while testosterone levels decrease, causing the man to want to stay closer to home and closer to his mate. Kangaroo Mother Care by both parents with their newborn baby also increases the good "love" hormone oxytocin.

Although no one is sure why this happens, some think it may have to do with pheromones. Pheromones are hormones made by our skin that actually give off a subtle odor. Changes in the mother's pheromones, which the man subconsciously detects, cause his hormonal balance to change accordingly. In turn his hormonal changes emit pheromones, which the mother detects, causing her to produce more prolactin, which not only aids in milk production but contributes to her mothering instincts. In this manner nature is preparing both mother and father for what lies ahead and Kangaroo Mother Care.

The more time dad spends with baby, the more oxytocin is released, encouraging him to spend even more time with his baby. Additionally, it causes him to want to spend time with the baby's mother too. Increased oxytocin causes changes within the brain and paternal feelings emerge. Through these feelings, Fathers have an increased sense of wanting to stay home and care for and protect their family.
Continued Kangaroo Mother Care contact with the baby causes a steady release of prolactin. The continued presence of prolactin will also stimulate the opioid providing a "feel good" response to being part of that loving family unit of mother, father and baby. Oxytocin has an added benefit in that it reduces blood pressure and heart rate and may even be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease.

While Kangaroo Mother Care often focuses on the bond between mother and baby, dad is not left out. Skin to skin contact between father and baby is beneficial to both as well, releasing important bonding hormones for both of them. By maintaining skin to skin contact with his baby, and thereby increasing the release of the "love hormone", dad can not only improve his baby's chances of survival, he can also strengthen the bond between him and his child.