Smells and motherhood: why is the sense of smell so powerful?

Motherhood is an intensely sensory experience.
Touch, voice, gaze... but also smell , this often discreet sense, is in reality one of the most powerful . During pregnancy, at birth and in the first months with baby, smells play a fundamental role in memory, emotional bonding and emotional well-being.

At Monjour, we place a special emphasis on this intimate and evocative sense. Here's why smell is so precious in the maternal experience.

Smell: a sense directly linked to memory and emotions

Unlike the other senses, smell is directly connected to the emotional brain (the limbic system), bypassing the rational filter.
Result :

• A smell can instantly revive a memory,
  
  

• It can soothe, reassure, awaken, or even upset.
  
  

💡 A study by Inserm has shown that olfactory memories are more durable and more vivid than visual or auditory memories.

The role of odors in the mother-baby bond

From birth, the newborn recognizes the scent of its mother . It naturally orients itself towards her breast, guided by the pheromones present on the skin.
The baby's smell is also recognized by the mother , and triggers:

• a surge of oxytocin (bonding hormone),
  
  

• emotional calming,
  
  

• a feeling of familiarity and deep connection.
  
  

These olfactory exchanges actively participate in mother-child attachment .

During pregnancy: a transformed sense of smell

Many pregnant women report hypersensitivity to odors :

• perfumes that we can no longer stand,
  
  

• foods that make you sick,
  
  

• a heightened perception of body odor.
  
  

This phenomenon is linked to the increase in hormones (particularly estrogen), and reflects a natural adaptation of the body : detecting potentially harmful substances to protect the fetus.

Olfactory as a tool for postpartum well-being

In the weeks following childbirth, certain odors may:

• bring back to oneself in a disrupted daily life,
  
  

• create positive anchors to find calm,
  
  

• reconnect to the body through touch and smell combined.
  
  

💛 At Monjour, we also think about care with the nose.

Our scented water, gentle and enveloping, is suitable from birth. The true olfactory identity of our range, it embodies the sensory signature of our care products. A tender and comforting fragrance, it has become a favorite with parents.

👉 Discover our scented water

Our postpartum oil-in-jelly is formulated without synthetic fragrance, but gives off a natural, soft and enveloping scent , to make the treatment a soothing sensory moment.

👉 Discover our sensory oil-in-jelly

How to create soothing olfactory rituals at home?

Here are some simple ideas to make your sense of smell an ally in your daily life:

• Place a drop of floral hydrosol (chamomile, orange blossom) on the pillow,
  
  

• Diffuse a gentle textile mist in your breastfeeding or rest area,
  
  

• Use a lightly scented massage oil during treatment,
  
  

• Wear soft clothing that keeps the baby's or your own scent .
  
  

💡 Avoid harsh or synthetic fragrances, especially around newborns.

In summary

The sense of smell is an invisible but powerful thread between mother and baby.
It supports memory, connection, well-being.
During maternity, it deserves to be given a place: discreet but essential, almost instinctive.

💛 At Monjour, we create treatments designed to touch the skin as much as the heart — while respecting the olfactory sensitivity of mothers and toddlers.

👉 Explore all our sensory rituals

💌 And you, is there a smell that takes you back to a highlight of your motherhood?
Write to us, share your memory, we love reading you.