In a new study from the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, researchers found that marmoset dads that get a whiff of their own babies experience decreased testosterone.
“We were a little surprised to see testosterone alter like that,” says Toni Ziegler, a staff scientist at the WNPRC and the senior author of a study published Sept. 2 in the journal Biology Letters. [...] “These moderations may allow him to be more tolerant toward his infants while facing external challenges that might distract him from focusing on his infant and family needs.”
— From Baby’s smell tamps down dad’s testosterone levels at Physorg.
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I love these little discoveries. It makes complete sense to me – probably makes the fathers a bit calmer and more tentative/less eager to chase the nearest female on heat.
Me too! And agree, makes perfect sense.
Not to sound like a complete idiot mooning over my own baby, but speaking of whiffs of baby….my baby's head smells like orris tincture. (And occasionally smelly baby stuff). I don't think I've ever cared either way about iris/orris note in fragrances. But after discovering this wonderful smell from her heard, I am just hooked and eager to find iris/orris notes that remind me of her. Lucky me, Heure Exquise won that award: the yummy quiet iris & powdery sandalwood….But she comes pretty close to very faded 28 La Pausa too.
My husband loves the way our girl smells, and she's definitely out-competed me for his attention. It's not so bad for me that she's the “other woman”!!
This confirms my view that testosterone is the root of all evil in the world. Even among marmosets. Lol.
Truly, there is no better smell in the world than a baby's head. Most perfumes that try to mimic it seems to end up smelling like baby wipes, unfortunately — NOT the best smell in the world.
Do you ever listen to “This American Life” on PBS? They did a really fascinating show on Testosterone, and what life was like with NO testosterone. Not what you'd expect at all.
I love that show.
I've heard that as men age, their testosterone drops, and they get in touch with their more soft side, and a woman's increases after menopause, and they become more assertive.
It doesn't sound like a sexual thing at all to me (not going for other females). It sounds more like a behavior that would ensure survival (an infant's smell decreasing the level of testosterone so that if dad gets angry, he's less likely to harm/kill the baby).
I'm sure I'm in the minority on the baby head smell-I am NOT fond of it!
Do download that particular show if you can — it really is one of my favorite TAL broadcasts.
You are in the minority on that one for sure!
Dana, you are not alone. I always hear everyone blathering on about how good babies smell but when I take a whiff they smell like sour milk, spit-up and pee. If I'm lucky, maybe a little powder.
Ya'll are crazy
Thanks for the rec! I don't live in the U.S. so I'm not familiar with the show, but will download and check it out
I think you are correct, that it is to protect the infants. Males of some species can be very aggressive towards young of their own species (look up the behavior of lions if you are not squeamish).
I am not sure I have ever smelled a baby's head. Will have to remedy that as soon as possible.
Be sure you pick a good baby
Llol!
Good tip! Not just any baby will do.