The Place of a Mother’s Heart: Breastfeeding and Maternal Health https://drpreetideshmukh.com/ More than a source of nourishment for a baby, breastfeeding is a profoundly emotional experience that nourishes the hearts and minds of mother and child. The chemistry of holding the baby releases oxytocin, the ‘hormone of love’, which reduces stress, encourages bonding and improves emotional well-being in mothers.