A phenomenon in which a child is born and becomes aggressive. Actually, it was caused by something unexpected!
The phenomenon that the mother becomes aggressive due to the action of oxytocin is due to the function of hormones.
Oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," has two sides.
🤰 "duality" of oxytocin
oxytocin is commonly known as the love hormone
It is called "happiness hormone" or "bond hormone,"
It is known for the following works.
🩷 and strengthening maternal behavior
It develops attachment to the baby and forms a mother child bond.
🩷 relaxing effect
It reduces stress and increases feelings of security and trust.
🩷 Promotes and recovers childbirth: Promotes labor and helps the uterus recover after childbirth.
🩷 breast milk secretion
Breastfeeding stimulates secretion.
⚠️ but oxytocin has
Distinguish between "friends" and "outside (enemy)," and "friends"
There is also the aspect of protection.
❤️🔥 Strengthening bonds within friends and aggression to the outside
Oxytocin is an important "companion" for you
While strengthening ties with (in this case, mainly mother and child), it is also known to have the effect of becoming aggressive to other groups and threats in order to protect their companions and children.
This effect, in the form of "attack is the best defense," can be particularly strong in the postpartum mother.
🤱 likely to happen to postpartum mothers
Postpartum mothers are secreting large amounts of oxytocin for delivery and breastfeeding. While this hormone promotes attachment behavior, it also strengthens the instinctive behavior of protecting your child, which can lead to being strict with people who are perceived as outside (sometimes including your husband and family), and can lead to nervous and aggressive behavior.
Especially when stress and fatigue due to childcare are strong, it is said that oxytocin changes its action so that it has a strong side of "defense / attack" rather than "love."
This is not a disease!
It is a natural phenomenon involving hormonal effects.
It is important to understand that it is not a loss of love, but a reversal of a strong instinct to "protect my child."
🔵 and sympathize
Instead of blaming the people around you, "Why are you so frustrated?," "You're tired from unfamiliar childcare and doing your best," empathizing with your mother's hard work and stress and snuggling up will lead to your mother's relaxation.
🔵 rest and peace of mind
Reducing mom's fatigue and stress is the key to relieving aggressive effects.
By actively participating in childcare, sharing household chores, and providing a relaxing time and environment, oxytocin can easily work as a "happiness hormone" again.
🔵 physical skinship
Moderate physical contact in a stress-free situation or
Eye contact is a way to control each other's oxytocin secretion.
It encourages and has a positive impact.
Please refer to it 😁
子どもが生まれてからお母さんの行動や感情が一変し、時には攻撃的になってしまうことに戸惑う方は少なくありません。私自身も第一子の育児の際に、普段は温厚な自分が何故か小さなことに過剰反応してしまい、夫や家族に厳しく当たってしまう瞬間がありました。その頃に知ったのがオキシトシンの二面性です。 オキシトシンは「愛情ホルモン」として知られる一方で、大切な「仲間」を守るために外敵に対して攻撃的になる性質も持っているのです。産後はこのホルモンが大量に分泌されるため、我が子を守る本能が強く働き、周囲の見え方や感じ方が変わってしまうことがあります。私の場合、夫の何気ない言葉でも敏感に反応し、自己嫌悪に陥ることもありました。 しかし、こ れは決して異常や病気ではなく、母親としての自然なプロセスだと理解することで気持ちが楽になりました。また、家族やパートナーが批判せず「慣れない育児を頑張っているね」と共感し、家事や育児の分担を積極的に支えてくれたことが癒しとなり、ストレスも軽減されました。スキンシップやアイコンタクトもオキシトシンの分泌を促し、母子共に安心感が増しました。 特に育児の疲労がピークに達しやすい時期は、意識的に休息時間を確保してリラックスできる環境を整えることが重要です。自分だけで抱え込まず、周りと助け合うことも本能的な攻撃性を抑える一助になります。この体験から、オキシトシンの複雑な働きを知ることで、親子関係や家族間コミュニケーションが円滑になると実感しています。同じ悩みを持つママやパパの参考になれば幸いです。
