Does anyone have a research-based reference for a vague assertion I
recently heard that just being in the proximity of a breastfeeding
mother raises the father's levels of oxytocin (or some other
nurturing-promoting or stress-reducing hormone), and they don't react
that way to artificial feeding.

What a cool, potentially useful factoid -- hope it doesn't fall prey to
the old journalist's complaint that "The best stories never check out."

Margaret Wills, LLLL, IBCLC

P.S.  In yesterday's 11/8/01 Washington Post, the Kids' Post page
charmingly shows a National Zoo lowland gorilla nursing her new baby
(which she's been holding so close the keepers haven't yet determined
the baby's sex.) No central nursery here, and this mother looks like
she'd calmly take someone's head off if they tried. Unfortunately the
picture isn't on the paper's website.

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