Breast to mouth?

When I was a newer IBCLC, and definitely when I was a Labor and Delivery nurse, I was taught breastfeeding was baby’s mouth on mom’s breast. Little did I know!!

Breast/chest feeding is a FULL BODY EXPERIENCE for both parent and baby! This is a much more in depth process than it looks, full of reflexes and instincts guiding both parent and baby for not only a transfer of nutrition but also for safety, comfort, reassurance, stability, calming nervous system and more.

Babies are born with reflexes, or instincts, that guide them in their most important task: survival. The palmar grasp reflex, when baby holds your finger, ins’t to look cute, but for baby to use their hands to stimulate the breast and elicit a let-down. Amazing isn’t it? Hard to do when swaddled tho.

The step reflex is when you pick up a newborn baby and they look like they are going to take their first steps. This aids in the all important breast crawl to get that first feed. However to do this baby must have their feet planted somewhere against parents body.

Rooting reflex is when baby turns head when something touches their cheek. This helps baby find the breast.

Babkin reflex is when pressure or stroking is applied to both palms simultaneously , baby will extend tongue and then start to suck. This is super helpful to get a deep latch. Hard to do in a swaddle or with mittens on!

All of these reflexes help baby eat, help regulate mom’s milk supply and help make the whole process easy instead of forced.

So what should feeding look like if not just breast/chest to mouth? Baby’s whole body should touch parents whole body, tummy to tummy, feet planted, hands up to breast/chest. Baby should be in control of latching, they truly know what to do!!

Need help with this? Reach out today.