our newest lovebug

This Valentine’s Day we get to celebrate with our newest little love bug Campbell. We welcomed him into the world early January so he’s just over a month old now. Marshall has been settling into his new role as big brother and Jeanette and I are so proud of him. 

These first few weeks we’ve been adjusting to being a family of four which is definitely a roller coaster ride with a newborn and two year old, but we’ve been loving every moment of it. Looking back- our newborn time with Marshall went by really fast. So on the days that seem longer we’re reminded that tomorrow is a new day. 

Valentine’s Day is a time for us to appreciate not only our significant others but also our little valentines as well. Scientifically our love hormone is known as oxytocin. Oxytocin can be released in our body from literally spending time with someone we love or by doing something we enjoy doing like cooking, playing hockey, reading, hiking—- whatever you truly love doing. Oxytocin is beneficial to boosting our immune system, decreasing stress in our bodies (which stress is linked to a majority of illnesses and inflammation in our body), decreases anxiety, and improves our overall mood- just to name a few. 

Oxytocin is also very important for families to bond with their newborn babies and especially for the bond between momma and baby. Some ways to boost oxytocin to build this relationship with a newborn include spending plenty of time skin to skin, baby-wearing, and breastfeeding. Spending time looking at baby and making eye contact with them also increases oxytocin. Remember—newborns’ vision isn’t very good so you have to be 6-12 inches away from them for them to kind of “see” you. Boosting oxytocin isn’t just for the relationship between mom and baby but dad and baby too. Studies have shown that fathers who spend time skin to skin with baby as well as time comforting and soothing baby also have an increase in oxytocin and a greater social bond with their baby. And this relationship goes both ways- baby will also form a stronger bond with dad. Some studies have shown that a strong bond between parent(s) and baby also has a connection to baby’s overall temperament. Lastly, if you enjoy music and singing, singing songs that you sang while baby was in momma’s belly is a great way for oxytocin to be boosted for both family members and baby as well. Campbell is a big fan of the Moana and Lion King soundtrack (Marshall’s favorites the past couple months). 

Needless to say, love and oxytocin is abundant in our house, and I hope that you also find some love and joy this Valentine’s Day!