Increase in Salivary Oxytocin Levels in Mothers After Tactile Contact Between Adiaper-like Nonwoven Sheet With Large Projectionsand the Palm: A Pilot Study

Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether or not tactile contact between a diaper-like nonwoven sheet with specific physical characteristics and the palm of the hand would increase the maternal level ofoxytocinwhich is one of the neuropeptides promoting formation of the mother-infant bond. Results: Ten healthy non-breastfeeding Japanese mothers were enrolled in this pilot study. We prepared diaper-like nonwoven sheets with large or small projections. Physical indices related to softness and fluffiness were higher in the sheet with large projections than in the sheet with small projections. Salivary oxytocin levels in the motherswere increasedafter tactile contact with thesheet with large projections, but not after contact with the sheet with small projections. This pilot study suggests that maternal oxytocin levels are increased by tactile contact between a soft and fluffy diaper sheet and the palm.