Summary: A new randomized, double-blind study from Radboud University and Radboudumc finds that intranasal oxytocin can strengthen the emotional connection between mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) and their infants. After receiving oxytocin, mothers showed more warmth, affection, smiling, and physical contact during play, and reported greater positive feelings. The spray did not, however, improve caregiving sensitivity or reduce physiological stress markers, indicating the effects are specific to positive affect and regard for the infant rather than general caregiving competence.
These findings suggest oxytocin may be a useful target for interventions aimed at improving mother–infant bonding in the context of postpartum depression, while also highlighting non-pharmacological approaches—such as skin-to-skin contact and baby massage—that naturally increase oxytocin release.
Key takeaways
- Intranasal oxytocin increased maternal positive affect: more warmth, smiling, and physical closeness during interaction with infants.
- Oxytocin did not significantly change maternal sensitivity or reduce physiological stress measures such as salivary cortisol or heart rate.
- Researchers recommend further exploration of oxytocin-related interventions and natural methods to boost bonding, like skin-to-skin contact or infant massage.
Source: Radboud University and Radboudumc
Study overview
Postpartum depression ranges from milder mood disturbances to major depressive episodes and often includes fatigue, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and persistent worries about parenting. These symptoms can interfere with mother–infant interaction, sometimes leading to delayed or mismatched responses to an infant’s cues. To test whether oxytocin can improve the emotional quality of these interactions, researchers conducted a within-subject, double-blind experiment in mothers of 3- to 9-month-old infants who scored clinically on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
Design and main results
Forty-five mothers with clinically relevant postnatal depressive symptoms participated. Each mother was tested twice: once after receiving intranasal oxytocin and once after a placebo, without knowing which treatment they had received. Researchers observed behavior during play interactions and measured self-reported mood, maternal sensitivity, and physiological stress markers (salivary cortisol, heart rate, heart rate variability).
The primary finding was a reliable increase in maternal positive regard and self-reported positive affect after oxytocin administration. Mothers were warmer and more enthusiastic in their behavior, smiled more frequently, and sought more physical closeness with their infants. The within-subject design supports a causal interpretation: the oxytocin dose directly increased positive affective behaviors and feelings during interaction.
What oxytocin did not change
Contrary to expectations, oxytocin did not improve measurable maternal sensitivity, which refers to the caregiver’s ability to perceive and respond appropriately and promptly to an infant’s signals. Nor did oxytocin reduce physiological stress indicators in this study: cortisol levels, heart rate, and heart rate variability were not significantly affected during play interactions. Researchers note that stress responses may differ during more challenging moments—such as when infants cry—so future work will examine whether oxytocin alters stress physiology in those contexts.
Clinical implications and next steps
While intranasal oxytocin is not presented as a standalone cure for postpartum depression, the study points to promising directions for improving mother–infant bonding. Enhancing positive affect during interactions may help mothers enjoy and engage more fully with their infants, which can have downstream benefits for the relationship and the child’s development.
The authors also emphasize non-pharmacological options that stimulate the body’s own oxytocin system. Practices such as baby massage, increased skin-to-skin contact, and other forms of physical closeness may offer low-risk, accessible ways to foster positive maternal feelings and strengthen bonding, especially when combined with psychological or medical treatments for PPD.
Funding and research team
Funding was provided by an NWO Open Competition XS grant and the Radboud Fonds. Research team members include Madelon Hendricx-Riem, Lisa Loheide-Niessman, Roseriet Beijers, Indira Tendolkar, and Peter Mulders.
About this research
Author: Madelon Hendricx-Riem
Source: Radboud University and Radboudumc
Image credit: Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access. “Boosting oxytocin in postpartum depression: Intranasal oxytocin enhances maternal positive affect and regard for the infant” by Madelon Hendricx-Riem et al., published in Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Abstract summary
This randomized, double-blind, within-subject control study examined intranasal oxytocin’s effects on maternal caregiving behavior, mood, and physiological responses in mothers with subclinical to clinical postpartum depression. Oxytocin increased maternal positive regard for the infant and self-reported positive affect but did not affect maternal sensitivity, negative mood, or physiological stress markers. The results suggest oxytocin can enhance positive maternal emotions in PPD, and future research should assess therapeutic potential in larger and more diverse samples while considering individual differences such as PPD severity and history of childhood trauma.