All Communities > Breastfeeding Moms > Unassisted Breastfeeding

Unassisted Breastfeeding

Devin - posted on 08/28/2009 ( 9 moms have responded )

118

26

I recently saw a great video in my Mommy and Me class this week and I wanted to share what I learned. I call it unassisted breastfeeding b/c the baby does it all by himself. I have successfully breastfed 2 babies now and I still did not know this.

The video showed a baby that was 30 min. old and one that was an hour old. It was their first time eating. All the mother did was place the baby between their breasts on their belly and the mother kept her hands off the baby. The baby slowly inched his way over to one side and smelt its way to the breast and started suckling all on its own. It was Amazing!!

It makes me want to have another one just to see if it really works.



I share this so new moms can feel more comfortable about breastfeeding. I hope some of you out there try this and let me know how it goes.

Join Circle of Moms

Sign up for Circle of Moms and be a part of this community! Membership is just one click away.

Join Circle of Moms

9 Comments

View replies by

Anna - posted on 08/31/2009

552

12

Yes, my baby did that on his first night when he was sleeping on my chest. Then it got more difficult thanks to bossy interfering midwives!

Bethany - posted on 08/31/2009

29

48

I was laying in bed with my 5 week old baby and had my shirt off. I woke up to her breastfeeding all on her own. I was amazed. I didn't know she could do it without any help.

Minnie - posted on 08/31/2009

7,075

9

That's what we did with my second. We had a lovely water homebirth, and then just laid in bed and she got her little butt up there and wormed her way up to my breast. It was beautiful beyond words.

It's living proof that the notion that ''babies have to be taught to suckle'' is false.

Amber - posted on 08/31/2009

14

10

You can youtube this and find the video... it really is impressive.

Lori - posted on 08/31/2009

195

1

I saw that too, in my Hypnobirthing class! I think they also call it "self-attachment". It was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen - brought tears to my eyes. To see a baby crawl up the belly and latch on without any help whatsover... really brings it home that breastfeeding can be the most basic, natural thing in the world.

The video was from a Swedish study that found that babies born naturally and unmedicated, and who were put skin to skin on the momma directly after birth were much more likely to successfully self-attach. The babies born by c-section, or who were separated for an extended time after birth were less likely to attach on their own. Though I read somewhere that newborns who didn't self-attach initially can still have the ability to self attach up to several weeks after birth, if given the opportunity.

Devin - posted on 08/31/2009

118

26

That's funny Aliya that your baby doesn't even wake up to feed. :) I do think it's beautiful too. I wish everyone would have such an easy time with it.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 08/28/2009

5,416

9

I've heard about it. In some cultures (can't remember exactly where it was) after the baby is born they put the baby on it's mom's belly. The baby inches all the way up from the belly to eat without being helped. It takes a few hours. It's pretty cool that babies are born with those kind of instincts.

Cindy - posted on 08/28/2009

47

2

Beautiful!

Aliya - posted on 08/28/2009

21

10

Thats amazing, and more proof that breastfeeding is best. Its second nature to your baby.



Don't know about having another to see if it works!LOL! But my 2 month old can latch on in her sleep....just put it near her!

Powered by RESPECT not THUMPS

Want to find out the opinions of this community?

Add Poll