Babies like playing with breasts for a couple of key reasons: to stimulate milk flow and for comfort.
Why Babies Twiddle and Play with Breasts
According to the provided reference, there are two primary motivators:
- Stimulating Milk Flow: As babies grow, they need more milk and want it to come out faster.
- Twiddling, or playing with the nipple, helps achieve this.
- This stimulation encourages milk to flow more readily.
- Comfort and Security: Physical touch is comforting to everyone, especially babies.
- Breast play is a way for babies to feel close and secure with their caregiver.
- This kind of interaction is comforting for the baby.
The Dual Benefit: Milk and Comfort
Here is a summary table:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Increased Milk Flow | Twiddling stimulates the nipples, which helps milk come out faster and more easily. |
| Comfort and Physical Touch | Physical interaction is comforting for babies, making breast play a source of security. |
How to Support Your Baby's Exploration
- Understand that this behavior is natural and serves a purpose.
- If you feel uncomfortable, gently redirect your baby's hands without stopping the feeding.
- Remember that this stage is temporary as your baby grows and develops new ways to explore.
In summary, babies' attraction to playing with breasts is due to a combination of needing to stimulate milk flow and finding comfort through physical interaction.
