If you’ve had the pleasure of witnessing a newborn perform the “breast crawl”, you know it’s a truly remarkable experience. This natural instinct allows healthy babies to find their way to the breast without any assistance. All a mother needs to do is place her newborn on her chest or belly and wait. Before long, the baby begins to wiggle and scoot towards the breast, ultimately latching on—completely on their own.
A Personal Experience
When my friend Lisa had her second child, she experienced the breast crawl firsthand, and it was one of those unforgettable moments. Despite her extensive research on the phenomenon, she was skeptical about whether her newborn would instinctively know what to do. But after a few moments of bonding, her baby pushed against her belly and began moving toward her breast, eventually licking and attempting to suck. It was a heartwarming sight that left her in awe.
If you haven’t had the chance to see this in action, no worries! You can catch a glimpse of it here. Just a heads up: it might just make your heart swell.
How Do Newborns Know Where to Go?
You may wonder how these little ones know where to go. Various theories suggest that a combination of smell, taste, vision, and instinct guides them to the breast. However, a groundbreaking study from 2017 sheds light on the biological mechanisms at play, and it’s truly fascinating. It turns out that body temperature is key: mothers’ nipples actually warm up to help babies locate them, while the babies’ body temperatures drop, making the nipples feel even warmer.
Published in Acta Paediatrica, the study examined 41 mothers who gave birth in a hospital in Italy. These moms were all low-risk pregnancies and intended to breastfeed. After birth, their babies were placed on their chests for at least 15 minutes, allowing them to crawl to the breast.
Interestingly, the researchers measured nipple temperatures at various intervals—before birth and one and two days postpartum. They discovered that even before labor, mothers’ nipple temperatures were slightly elevated compared to the surrounding skin. On delivery day, the temperature rose even higher, and by the second postpartum day, it was significantly warmer.
The Science Behind the Breast Crawl
But there’s more! The researchers also measured the temperature of the babies’ lips and foreheads. They found that, in the first two days after birth, the babies’ lips were cooler than their foreheads, creating a notable temperature difference when compared to the warmer nipples. The idea is that the cooler lips are naturally attracted to the warmer nipples, which is a brilliant design of nature.
As the researchers summarized, “These findings demonstrate, for the first time, that a temperature gradient may support mother‐infant thermal identification and communication in the breast crawl.” This thermal cue, combined with olfactory signals from the mother, creates the perfect conditions for the breast crawl to occur.
Encouragement to Try the Breast Crawl
While it may not be feasible for every mother and baby to try the breast crawl, I encourage those who can to give it a shot. It’s a wonderful way to bond, kick-start breastfeeding, and marvel at the wonders of human biology. If you’re curious about more insights on pregnancy, be sure to check out this excellent resource here.
Conclusion
In summary, the breast crawl is a remarkable biological phenomenon that showcases the innate abilities of newborns and the incredible design of human bodies.