Why does my baby put her hand in my mouth when breastfeeding?

Understanding Your Baby’s Behavior During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a unique bonding experience between a mother and her baby, filled with various behaviors that can sometimes leave parents puzzled. One common behavior that many mothers notice is their baby putting their hands in their mouth while nursing. This action can be attributed to several factors, each reflecting the baby’s developmental stage and instinctual behaviors.
Curiosity and Exploration
One of the primary reasons babies put their hands in their mother’s mouth during breastfeeding is curiosity. Babies are naturally inclined to explore their environment using all their senses, and their hands are a significant part of this exploration. When a baby is nursing, they may instinctively reach out to touch or interact with their mother, which can include putting their hands in her mouth. This behavior is often a way for them to engage and connect with their mother during this intimate moment.
Cross Identification
Another interesting aspect of this behavior is what experts refer to as cross identification. This concept suggests that when a baby receives nourishment from their mother, they may feel a desire to reciprocate in some way. By putting their hands in their mother’s mouth, they are engaging in a form of communication and connection, almost as if they are sharing something back with her. This instinctual behavior highlights the deep bond that breastfeeding fosters between mother and child.
Sensory Exploration
Babies are also driven by their senses, particularly touch and taste. Their hands are often in their mouths as they explore the world around them. Since babies have limited vision, they rely heavily on tactile sensations to understand their environment. When breastfeeding, their hands may instinctively reach for their mother’s mouth as part of this sensory exploration.
Seeking Comfort
Additionally, the act of putting hands in the mouth can be a form of self-soothing. Babies often engage in non-nutritive sucking, which can provide comfort and help them feel secure. If they are feeling anxious or restless while nursing, they might use their hands to explore their surroundings or to soothe themselves.
Practical Considerations for Mothers
For mothers, this behavior can sometimes be distracting or even uncomfortable. It’s essential to remember that this is a normal part of infant behavior. If it becomes too much, gently redirecting the baby’s hands or providing them with a soft toy to hold can help. Maintaining a calm and patient demeanor is crucial, as babies are learning and exploring during these moments.
In conclusion, when your baby puts their hands in your mouth while breastfeeding, it is a multifaceted behavior rooted in curiosity, a desire for connection, sensory exploration, and comfort-seeking. Understanding these motivations can help mothers navigate the breastfeeding experience with greater ease and appreciation for the unique bond they share with their child.

Why does my baby put his hand in my mouth while breastfeeding?

When your baby puts their hand to your face/mouth, while breastfeeding, it is known as ‘cross identification‘ According to Zeljko Loparic (professor of philosophy at Unicamp and Winnicott scholar), The baby realizes that mum does something for her . Gives her something (milk, snuggle, affection, safety, relief,..).

Why is my baby constantly unlatching?

Oversupply and overactive milk ejection reflex are two reasons your baby may pop on and off your breast, while breastfeeding when there is too much milk coming at them too fast or faster than they can handle. Your baby may come off your breast choking and sputtering or need to burp more often.

Why does my baby put his fingers in my parents’ mouth?

It’s a form of play for them and also a way to self calm and also a way to communicate that they are either hungry or sleepy or just overwhelmed. They learn to put hands in mouth and later learn to put food with those hands into mouth. So avoid stopping them or guide them other ways of regulation. For eg.

Why does my baby keep putting his hands in the way while breastfeeding?

Newborns have incredibly poor eyesight and use all five senses to locate and latch on to the breast. Those little hands are searching for your breast to help bring it closer to his mouth.

Why do babies put their hands in their mouths when hungry?

Hunger. In the newborn months, a baby who sucks their hand may be trying to tell you they’re hungry. Think about it: Every time they suck on a bottle or nipple, they get food! It’s a natural sucking instinct, similar to rooting, meant to clue you in that it’s time for another feeding.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

These increases occur around the same time for all babies, hence the term “3-months breastfeeding crisis”. This crisis is the most well-known because it is the most challenging for mothers. One reason is that this crisis, unlike others you may experience before, can last up to a month.

Why do babies put their hands in their mother’s mouth?

It happens when a baby puts their hand on/in their mom’s mouth. This give and take interaction is the baby showing awareness that their mother is a separate entity to them. It is your baby demonstrating love for you.

Why does my baby touch my breasts while nursing?

‘Many babies twiddle the opposite nipple while breastfeeding, and this actually causes a release of the hormone oxytocin, which increases milk supply. ‘

When does a baby realize they are separate from their mom?

six to nine months
By six to nine months of age, your baby begins to realise they are a separate person surrounded by their own skin. They no longer experience floating in a sea of feelings and needs, where the outside and the inside are all mixed together.

Why do babies make a fist when nursing?

If baby is clenching their fists while feeding, it’s part of their instinctive reflex. As mentioned, babies may clench their fists as a sign of hunger or when they’re starting a feed.