What is the Breast Crawl Instinct?

The breast crawl instinct is the natural ability of a newborn to crawl towards its mother's breast, find the nipple, and initiate breastfeeding. This instinctive behavior is present in all healthy newborns and usually occurs within the first hour of life. During this time, the baby's senses are heightened, and they can smell, touch, and even taste their mother's milk.

Why is the Breast Crawl Instinct Important?

Breastfeeding is essential for the growth and development of a newborn. Breast milk provides all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and antibodies that a newborn needs to thrive. The breast crawl instinct is important because it helps the baby to latch onto the nipple and begin breastfeeding within the first hour of life. This early initiation of breastfeeding has been linked to numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of infection, lower rates of infant mortality, and better cognitive development.

You can read up on the refluxes babies use, the process and further benefits of breast crawling from this amazing article over at Health Line.

Another amazing resource for our virtual learners - YouTube Video: Breast Crawl

How Can Parents Support the Breast Crawl Instinct?

There are several ways that parents can support their newborns during the breast crawl instinct. First, parents should make sure that their newborn is placed skin-to-skin on their chest immediately after birth. This skin-to-skin contact helps to regulate the baby's body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It also provides a comforting environment that promotes bonding between the parent and baby.

Parents can also encourage the breast crawl instinct by providing a quiet and peaceful environment for the newborn. This means reducing noise and distractions that could interfere with the baby's ability to focus on finding the nipple. Parents can also offer gentle guidance by lightly stroking the newborn's back to encourage crawling towards the breast.

What Happens if I can't do Immediate Skin-to-Skin?

If you are unable to do immediate skin-to-skin, it's important to still try to have skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible after birth. If you had a C-section or other medical interventions that prevent immediate skin-to-skin, you can still request to have skin-to-skin contact as soon as it is safe to do so. In some cases, a partner or family member may be able to do skin-to-skin while you recover. If for some reason skin-to-skin is not possible, you can still bond with your baby through other forms of physical touch and cuddling. Remember that every birth experience is unique, and it's important to be flexible and adaptable to make sure you and your baby get the best care possible. There is an amazing thing called "rebirthing" that helps re-establish your breastfeed relationship. We came across this article from Milkology that explains if you are still struggling with breastfeeding that you can still preform the act of skin-to-skin and allow baby to naturally breast crawl. It's the process of stripping them to their diaper and allowing the sacred time to bond and trust that baby will do their thing naturally.

In Conclusion

The breast crawl instinct is a natural behavior that is critical for the health and wellbeing of a newborn. By supporting this instinct, parents can help to ensure that their newborns receive the necessary nutrients and antibodies needed for healthy growth and development. If you are interested in learning more about the breast crawl instinct or need support with breastfeeding, reach out to a lactation consultant or a doula who specializes in breastfeeding support.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Momentous Doula Care.