Why Humans are Losing the Natural Instinct to Breastfeed

For something so biologically natural, breastfeeding often feels anything but. Many new parents are surprised by how foreign it seems: the awkwardness of latching, the pain, the uncertainty about milk supply. But this disconnect isn’t a personal failing, it’s a reflection of how much modern culture has shifted away from the communal, generational knowledge that once made breastfeeding feel intuitive. Humans are known for their intellect, but sometimes the focus on innovation can make us forget to operate in our human nature.

Why Humans Struggle Where Other Mammals Don’t

According to Dawn Maddux, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, the issue is deeply rooted in culture. “We are one of the only mammals who struggle to breastfeed,” she says. “And it’s not because the biology is broken, it’s because we’ve lost the modeling.”

In other words, humans don’t learn to breastfeed by instinct alone. “We used to see other women feed their babies, our sisters, cousins, aunts. Now we have to hire someone to teach us how to do something that should be passed down,” Maddux explains. The role of traditional mothers has changed, causing a gap in what I personally describe as “motherhood literacy”

We also discussed the deviation from a culture of mothers who carry their children with them. 

"And you know, for more remote areas that maybe don't have access to neonatal ICUs or NICUs, skin to skin, kangaroo care, where baby, any baby that's born prematurely, the best chance for survival and a healthy growth pattern and mom to be able to make milk for that premature baby is skin to skin 24/7, like just wearing the baby."

Breastfeeding is not just a biological act, it’s a cultural one. When we lose the community, we lose confidence. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. At MissPoppins, our certified lactation consultants and parent coaches are here to bridge the gap between instinct and information. We offer one-on-one guidance, where you can talk with experts like Dawn on live support status.