When a parent smells their baby, it’s not just cute or pleasant—it actually triggers a network of brain areas that create deep feelings of love and bonding. The ventral striatum, part of the brain’s reward system, responds strongly, making the baby’s scent feel pleasurable and motivating the parent to care for and protect the child. It’s like the brain is saying, “this is amazing, I need to nurture this little human.” The orbitofrontal cortex also activates, helping the brain process emotional a