Becoming a parent can be a monumental experience.
For women, in particular, the pressure to be a “perfect mom” can be pretty overwhelming.
What is maternal instinct?
For some people, maternal instinct implies that a woman wants to have children.
Either way you look at the concept, it almost exclusively focuses on women and children.
This reinforces an idea about women not only wanting children but also being innately equipped to care for them.
Anything that deviates from this idea is considered the negative exception.
Is it real or a myth?
Some studies point to early emotional bonding between mothers and their babies especially through the release ofoxytocin during breastfeeding.
None of those studies, however, support the idea of an inherent maternal instinct.
In short: Yes, the idea that all women have a “maternal instinct” is a myth.
In some scenarios, it even took months for that bond to occur.
Trying to manage newborn care while also juggling emotional strain is a tall order.
These feelings of disconnect are actually quite normal.
Why you should rely on community & support over instinct.
It’s normal to feeloverwhelmed with the realities of motherhood.
Can’t get a swaddle just right?
hit it one more time, or skip it and get a wearable baby blanket instead.
There are plenty of options, and you shouldn’t have to go it alone.
Resources to cultivate.
When you’re in the thick of parenting, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Finding credible outside resources is critical for getting support when you need it.
This site is packed with research-backed parenting tips to aid in conflict resolution and effectively manage problematic behavior.
For when breastfeeding gets hard:
Breastfeeding does not always go as planned.
Getting qualified supportplus access to a local group of moms to help minimize feeling isolatedis important.
The verdict: There’s no right way to be a mom.
The takeaway.
Maternal instinct is a concept that is used far and wide in popular culture.
However, the research doesn’t necessarily back it up.
