A photographer has captured the magic of a newborn's incredible breast crawl.

July 21, 2016

The phenomenon of a breast crawl, where a newborn baby crawls to the mother’s breast to feed after birth, is one rarely seen on camera.

Photographer Leilani Rogers says she was “thrilled” to capture the magic moments of a breast crawl in the US.

“I had seen attempts at the breast crawl before. But it’s a process that takes a lot of patience, ” said the American based photographer.

The breast crawl photographer by Leilani Rogers.

Just born. 5:50 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

Baby is lying on mother's abdomen. From here, she'll begin the crawl to her mother's breast. It's 5:53 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

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Baby is still taking in her surroundings at 6:12 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

Mum and Dad are patient, they know she'll figure it out on her own. It's 6:14 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

Baby's first movements towards the breast begin. Mum takes off her bra. It's 6:22 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

She scooches her face between her mother's breasts at 6:22 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

First attempt at lifting her head. It's now 6:23 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

Amazing! This baby, just 33 minutes old, is lifting her head. It's 6:23 am!(Image via Leilani Rogers)

She's found the areola! 6:24 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

She sniffs and explores.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

Moves her little head from side to side...(Image via Leilani Rogers)

... and take a few tastes of Mum's skin.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

Another view. Baby's using her knees as leverage and begins to bring her hands up to the breast. It's 6:25 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

More smelling. She knows it's there.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

6:26 am. By now she is actively rooting.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

And resting. This is hard work!(Image via Leilani Rogers)

But she is contentedly finding her way.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

It's 6:27 am now.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

She finds her mother's face and gets some encouragement "You can do it, honey!" It's 6:29 am. (Image via Leilani Rogers)

She's bringing her other hand up for help now.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

She's so close! (Image via Leilani Rogers)

6:32 am. Baby opens wide.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

6:34 am. First latch.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

Now it's Mama's turn to eat! It's 6:38 am.(Image via Leilani Rogers)

“Many times mums jump in and help baby. But Jessica was very patient and allowed baby almost a full hour to find the breast on her own.”

The photo series was a plan that Rogers had discussed with parents, Jessica and Don.

Many believe every newborn has the ability to do the breast crawl. The idea is to place the baby on the mother’s stomach and let it find its way to a mother’s nipple for the first breastfeed.

“[The baby] didn’t fuss, just slowly but surely made her way to the nipple and latched on once she was in just the right position. By the that time she was highly motivated, and so her latch was near perfect with little coaching,” said Rogers.

“Usually I see mums struggle with positioning of the baby, and the breast, and then coaxing the baby to open wider, and wider. And then the nurse laying on pressure for baby to feed. It can be quite a process.”

With “amazing and patient” hospital staff in on the plan, this baby girl was able to crawl months before she will again.

Leilani Rogers, Austin, TX birth and breastfeeding photographer.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/leilani.rogers.photographer
Instagram: @photosbylei
Twitter: @_PhotosByLei_

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