Why Do People Love the Smell of Newborn Babies?

The scent of a newborn baby triggers a distinct reaction among new mothers. Much like a smoker getting a rush of satisfaction when lighting up a cigarette, a study conducted at the University of Montreal found that the odor of newborns activates the neurological reward center in the brain, as seen on fMRI scans. A rush of dopamine to the brain creates a sense of satisfaction in women, especially mothers. The research only involved 30 women -- half who were new moms, and half who were not -- but scientists say that this flood of feel-good endorphins may help explain the joy of motherhood.

Bonds that can't be broken:

• New baby smells were collected from the pajamas of newborns. The mothers in the test group showed evidence of more activity in the “dopaminergic system of the caudate nucleus” of the brain.
• Dopamine is linked to sexual pleasure and other forms of gratification. Tests have shown that lab rats that can tamper with their dopamine levels using electrodes can become addicted to the organic chemical.
• Smells have long been associated with mother-child bonding. The new research further quantifies the olfactory bonding mechanism that also allows babies to recognize their mother’s scent.