Cesarean moms transmit stress to babies through breastfeeding

Women who give birth through a cesarean section may transmit stress to babies through hormones in their breast milk, researchers including one of Indian-origin have warned.
Researchers from University of Auckland in New Zealand analysed breast milk samples from 650 mothers when their babies were three to four months old.
The findings showed that levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in the milk of mothers who delivered their babies by cesarean section (c-section) or who had no partner at home, researchers including Shikha Pundir said.
As well as a major regulator of the body's stress response, cortisol was an important influencer of mood and growth, they said.

Cortisol also directs energy towards making fat, not muscle, making it even more important in early growth and development, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
While a certain amount of stress hormones are needed to trigger healthy development, findings from animal studies suggest that higher cortisol in milk affects babies' temperaments.
Studies conducted in rodents showed that stress during motherhood stimulated offspring, but primate studies showed that higher cortisol made monkey babies more irritable and nervous, with a similar effect observed in the few human studies that have been done so far.
"These findings reinforce that there are real emotional and biological challenges that face mothers who have undergone a c-section delivery or who do not necessarily have the full support to cope fully with a new baby," said Pundir.