09/18/2025
If you’ve ever breastfed a baby, you know how busy their little hands can be. They knead, push, scratch, and grab… sometimes in ways that don’t feel so gentle! Many mothers are told to swaddle babies tightly or hold their arms down during feeds to “help them focus.” But what if those restless hands actually serve a purpose?
The truth is, your baby’s hands aren’t getting in the way… they’re working. And when we restrain them, we interrupt an important part of the breastfeeding process.
🌀 Hands Help With Hormones
When a baby touches, strokes, or kneads at the breast, it stimulates oxytocin and prolactin, two essential hormones for milk production. Oxytocin helps with letdown (that surge of milk release), and prolactin supports ongoing supply. Think of baby’s hands as natural “helpers” signaling your body to keep the milk flowing.
🤲 Hands Massage and Push
Babies instinctively massage the breast while feeding, just like how you might hand-express milk. This gentle pressure helps stimulate letdowns and encourages steady milk flow, especially in the early weeks when supply is still regulating.
🎯 Hands Guide the Way
Newborn vision is blurry, but touch is powerful. Babies use their hands to orient themselves, stabilize their bodies, and find the ni**le. Restraining their arms can actually make it harder for them to latch effectively.
🔘 Hands Shape the Ni**le
Babies will often squeeze or push on the breast tissue near the ar**la. This pressure can help shape the ni**le, making it easier to draw into the mouth and latch on deeply. It’s not random… it’s instinct.
⸻
Why This Matters
When parents see flailing arms, they may assume the baby is “fussy” or “distracted.” But these movements are part of the natural feeding reflexes babies are born with. Instead of swaddling arms or pinning hands down, try allowing them freedom. Yes, it might feel chaotic at times, but those busy little hands are helping… not hurting.
Supporting your baby’s instincts builds trust, encourages better milk transfer, and strengthens the bond between you and your baby. So next time you nurse and feel those tiny fingers tugging, scratching, or massaging, remember: your baby’s hands are tools. Let them work. 😌💕
