Breast crawl

Breast crawl is the instinct of mammal (including human) newborns to move towards the nipple and attach to it for breastfeeding all by themselves.[1] In humans, if the newborn baby is put on the mother's abdomen, the movements start 12 to 44 minutes after birth, followed by spontaneous suckling at 27 to 71 minutes after birth.[2]

Background

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, developed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, recommends that all babies should have access to immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) following vaginal or Caesarean section birth. Immediate SSC after a Caesarean that used spinal or epidural anesthetic is achievable because the mother remains alert; however, after a general anesthetic, the newborn should be placed skin‐to‐skin as soon as the mother is alert and responsive. If the mother is not immediately able to begin SSC, her partner or other helper can assist or even place the infant SSC on their chest/breast. It is recommended that SSC be facilitated immediately after birth, as this is the time when the newborn is most likely to follow his/her natural instincts to find and attach to the breast and then breastfeed The infants use their sense of smell in finding the nipple. The areola smells similar to amniotic fluid, the baby recognizes this smell on its hands and begins to move towards the breast, as shown in a 1994 study in which one of the breasts was washed with unscented soap and the baby preferred the other one.[1] Babies use both visual stimuli, such as the mother's face and the breast's areola, and the auditory stimulus of the mother's voice.[2]

Nine stages of breast crawl

Newborn babies go through nine distinct stages after birth within the first hour or so:

  • Birth cry: Intense crying just after birth
  • Relaxation phase: Infant resting and recovering. No activity of mouth, head, arms, legs or body
  • Awakening phase: Infant begins to show signs of activity. Small thrusts of head: up, down, from side-to-side. Small movements of limbs and shoulders
  • Active phase: Infant moves limbs and head, is more determined in movements. Rooting activity, ‘pushing’ with limbs without shifting body
  • Crawling phase: ‘Pushing’ which results in shifting body
  • Resting phase: Infant rests, with some activity, such as mouth activity, sucks on hand
  • Familiarization: Infant has reached areola ⁄nipple with mouth positioned to brush and lick areola ⁄nipple
  • Suckling phase: Infant has taken nipple in mouth and commences suckling
  • Sleeping phase: The baby has closed its eyes. Mother may also fall asleep.[3]

References
  1. Marchlewska-Koj, Anna; Lepri, John J.; Müller-Schwarze, Dietland (2012-12-06). Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 9. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 419. ISBN 9781461506713.
  2. Desai, Daftary & (2008-01-01). Selected Topics in Obstetrics and Gynaecology-4: For Postgraudate and Practitioners. BI Publications Pvt Ltd. p. 281. ISBN 9788172253066.
  3. "Breastfeeding After Cesarean Birth". Le Leche League.
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