Imprinting, latchment and displacement: a mini review of early instinctual behaviour in newborn infants influencing breastfeeding success

Elsie J Mobbs; George A Mobbs; Anthony E D Mobbs

doi:10.1111/apa.13034

Imprinting, latchment and displacement: a mini review of early instinctual behaviour in newborn infants influencing breastfeeding success

Acta Paediatr. 2016 Jan;105(1):24-30. doi: 10.1111/apa.13034. Epub 2015 May 25.

Authors

Elsie J Mobbs¹, George A Mobbs², Anthony E D Mobbs³

Affiliations

¹ The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ Statistician, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

Instinctive behaviours have evolved favouring the mother-infant dyad based on fundamental processes of neurological development, including oral tactile imprinting and latchment. Latchment is the first stage of emotional development based on the successful achievement of biological imprinting. The mechanisms underpinning imprinting are identified and the evolutionary benefits discussed.

Conclusion: It is proposed that the oral tactile imprint to the breast is a keystone for optimal latchment and breastfeeding, promoting evolutionary success.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Decoy; Displacement; Imprinting; Latchment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Breast Feeding / psychology*
Child Development*
Displacement, Psychological*
Humans
Imprinting, Psychological*
Infant Behavior / psychology*
Infant, Newborn / psychology*
Instinct
Mother-Child Relations*
Object Attachment
Sucking Behavior