Le rôle de l'ocytocine dans les comportements maternels de caregiving auprès de très jeunes enfants

After having presented the biological characteristics of the oxytocyn (OT) and its interest according to the theory of evolution, the authors summarize the main characteristics of maternal behaviours in the non human mammals and human species. They present the concept of caregiving as developed in the attachment theory by insisting upon the biological processes underlying the psychological process and upon the bonding. Then, they present a review of literature on recent discoveries about the role of OT as a biological facilitator of the caregiving process during parturition. They insist upon its role on the regulation of stress, social memory and regulation of reaction to fear. This new knowledge brings to a new understanding of the development of maternal competences, which may allow an optimal development of the human baby.