Sources
Based on information from Paternal brain.
4 slides · 2 min read
Paternal Brain: The Hormones of Fatherhood
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Fatherhood lowers testosterone
One of the biggest hormone shifts in new fathers is a drop in testosterone. Fathers often show lower testosterone in both the morning and evening than men who are not fathers.
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More childcare, bigger drop
This drop is linked to caregiving. More time spent with the child matches a greater drop, and the same pattern appears in fathers who co-sleep with their child.
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Other hormones rise instead
After men become fathers, levels of oxytocin, glucocorticoids, estrogen, and prolactin can increase. These changes happen through interaction with the mother and the baby.
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A father's body starts tuning to the baby
Prolactin rises highest during a baby's early months and is linked to caregiving and even more exploratory play. Cortisol is highest just before birth, and higher cortisol is associated with more involved fathering.
