Breast Crawl: Use Your Baby’s Natural Instincts for a Great Start

Did you know your baby already knows how to find your breast right after birth? It’s called the “breast crawl,” and it’s amazing to watch. Babies are born with instincts to help them find the breast and start breastfeeding if we give them the chance. In this post, I’ll explain what the breast crawl is, why it matters, and how you can help your baby do it.

What Is the Breast Crawl?

The breast crawl happens right after your baby is born when you (or your midwife or doctor) place your baby on your tummy or chest, skin-to-skin, as soon as they’re born. Your baby will naturally start to move, smell, and nuzzle their way to your breast. They already know what to do! 🤩 Babies are born with the instinct to find food, and the smell of your nipples and milk helps guide them. If you give them time and space, most babies will latch on by themselves.

How the Breast Crawl Helps You and Your Baby Breastfeed

So, why is the breast crawl so important? Letting your baby naturally find their way to the breast not only helps with breastfeeding but also strengthens your bond and calms both you and your baby after birth. It’s a beautiful way to start your breastfeeding journey on the right foot. I know it can be tempting to rush in and “help” your baby, but sometimes the best thing you can do is sit back and let them follow their instincts!

The breast crawl also helps your baby get a good latch. A good latch helps stop nipple pain and make sure your baby is getting enough milk. So, getting a good latch from the start can make all the difference when it comes to having a smooth and happy breastfeeding journey.

How to Encourage the Breast Crawl

The best thing you can do is give your baby a chance to try the breast crawl right after they’re born. Here are five easy steps you can follow:

1. Aim for a Natural Birth

If you can, try to have a birth with no interventions. Medications and procedures during birth can make babies sleepy, which can interfere with baby’s instincts to do the breast crawl and breastfeed well. Talk to your midwife about your birth plan and let them know you want to let baby do the breast crawl.

2. Skin-to-Skin Right Away

Put your baby on your bare chest right after birth. Skin-to-skin contact helps calm your baby and starts their natural instinct for the breast crawl. It helps to stay laid flat or very laid back so your baby can do the breast crawl easily.  

3. Don’t Rush

Give your baby time. Sometimes it takes just a few minutes, and other times it might take a little longer but ideally the first breastfeed should happen in the first hour after birth. Try to relax and let your baby take the lead. Also, if you and baby are both well, ask for any procedures (like seeing how much baby weighs) to wait until after they’ve had their first breastfeed.

4. Create a Calm Environment

Keep the room quiet and peaceful and leave baby undisturbed on your chest. Too much noise or activity can overwhelm you and bub and interrupt the breast crawl process.

5. Ask for Help

If you’re not sure what to do, you might like to get in touch with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) before bub arrives. They can help guide you and show you how to set up for the breast crawl. You can book a pre birth video call with me here, where we can talk about everything you need to get the breast crawl and breastfeeding off to the best start possible!  

What About After a C-section?

You might be wondering if you can do the breast crawl after a C-section. The answer is yes! You can still put your baby on your chest straight after birth, even while you’re still on the operating table. If you can’t do it right away, your baby can still try the breast crawl later when you’re both ready. Your baby keeps the breast crawl instinct for the first 6 weeks or so, so you can do this as soon as you’re both able.  

Wrapping It Up

In those special moments right after birth, letting your baby do the breast crawl is a wonderful way to get breastfeeding off to a good start! It’s about trusting your baby’s instincts and giving them time and space to find the breast. So, take a deep breath, relax, and let your baby lead the way. 

If you want to chat more about how the breast crawl can help with your breastfeeding journey, DM me on Instagram. I’d love to hear your thoughts!