‘Breast crawl’: Why mums in UAE should let newborns find their golden feed

Dubai: Did you know a newborn can crawl to its mum’s breast moments after birth, completely unaided?

This astonishing behaviour, known as the breast crawl, is a powerful natural instinct that is quietly gaining attention among birth specialists around the world. And doctors in the UAE are raising awareness about it during the World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7).

In this practice, a newborn placed on its mother’s bare abdomen immediately after birth instinctively moves toward the breast, guided by scent, warmth, and natural reflexes. And it’s more than just a remarkable sight. New research suggests it may offer lasting health benefits for both mother and baby.

A recent study published in the Maternal & Child Nutrition health journal (July 2025), involving 295 mother-infant pairs, revealed that babies who practised the breast crawl had higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding, experienced earlier milk production, had better temperature regulation, and helped mothers experience less anxiety and more confidence in breastfeeding.

According to Dr Lakshmi Satish, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aster Clinic, Ras Al Khor, the breast crawl is best performed within the first hour after birth, known as the “golden hour.”

“This is when epigenetic imprinting is most active and can influence long-term infant health. Babies are dried (except their hands), placed on the mother’s abdomen, and naturally start mouthing, moving, and eventually latch on to the nipple, often within 30 to 60 minutes.”

She notes that skin-to-skin contact, widely practised globally, is only part of the picture. Breast crawl goes a step further by allowing the newborn to take the lead in getting its first feed.

“Multiple studies show that breast crawl offers benefits beyond direct latching. Skin-to-skin contact after birth triggers nine instinctive newborn stages—birth cry, relaxation, awakening, activity, rest, crawling, familiarisation, suckling, and sleeping—enhancing the baby’s nervous system, feeding ability, and mother-infant bonding. This naturally supports early and lasting breastfeeding success.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) also recommends that “all healthy infants should begin skin contact with their mothers immediately after delivery until the first feeding occurs.”

The 2025 study compared two groups: those that experienced conventional skin-to-skin contact and those that completed the breast crawl.

The babies who crawled to the breast were more likely to continue exclusive breastfeeding up to one month postpartum, had better initial latch success, and helped reduce maternal anxiety—something many new mothers struggle with, the study revealed.

Moreover, the research observed more stable forehead temperatures in breast crawl babies. Dr Lakshmi suggests this may be due to the calming effect of instinctive touch and connection, which also improves the baby’s neurological responses.

Yes, said Dr Lakshmi. Even after Caesarean deliveries, the breast crawl can be encouraged once the mother and baby are stable. If the baby needs initial medical intervention, it can be attempted later once the baby returns to the mother, she pointed out.

“Mothers are usually very open to this once they understand it. Antenatal sessions, including videos and demonstrations, can help prepare them,” said Dr Lakshmi.

Even in cases where immediate crawl is not possible, experts suggest starting the process later to help infants develop feeding reflexes and restore bonding. It can be repeated till proper feeding is established.

Reportedly first mentioned by Anne Marie and Dr Marshall Klaus in 1987 at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the practice might sound new to modern medicine.

But Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, has long advocated early bonding between mother and newborn and intuitive breastfeeding, according to Dr Suresh Viswakumar, Specialist in Ayurvedic Medicine at Wellth, Dubai.

“While ancient texts didn’t use the term ‘breast crawl’, they upheld the principle that a newborn knows when and how to feed. In Ayurveda, colostrum—called Peeyusham, or ‘nectar’—is vital for immunity and development,” said Dr Suresh.

He explained that traditional texts in Ayurveda emphasise the baby's need for tactile, olfactory, and thermal comfort immediately after birth, which directly ties into the benefits of breast crawl.

“The moment the baby connects with the mother, oxytocin and prolactin surge in her body, reducing anxiety and encouraging milk flow. The baby feels safe. It is a mutual connection that has been honoured in Ayurvedic postpartum care for centuries.”

The behaviour mimics what we see in the animal world.

“Even though human infants are more dependent, nature has designed this early moment to be one of self-guided connection,” said Dr Suresh.

Babies who breast crawl tend to show less aggression, reduced thumb-sucking, and even fewer behavioural concerns later in life, he pointed out.

He further explained the intriguing observation of lower forehead skin temperature in babies who complete the crawl:

“It’s thought to be due to the calming effect of the mother’s scent and warmth, which can help regulate the baby’s immune responses and reduce inflammation.”

Currently, most hospitals globally prioritise skin-to-skin contact after birth. The breast crawl remains relatively under-practised due to a lack of awareness, time constraints, or hesitancy from medical staff or parents. However, an increasing number of doctors believe awareness of this practice should be encouraged and popularised.

“With proper antenatal education, most mothers are enthusiastic to try it. It should be encouraged for all healthy deliveries,” said Dr Lakshmi.

What might seem like a tiny newborn squirming and searching for its feed is actually an incredible, natural process designed to help babies survive, grow, and feel secure. Whether you look at it through modern science or the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, letting babies take the lead in getting its golden feed could be the best way to begin life, experts say.