Attractiveness of Lactating Females' Breast Odors to Neonates

Abstract

A series of experiments investigated the responses of human infants to olfactory cues produced by lactating females. 2-week-old bottle-feeding girls oriented preferentially to the breast odor (odorized pad) of a nursing woman when paired with such odors from either a nonparturient female or axillary odors from the same lactating female. Responses to axillary odor from a lactating female did not differ from those to a clean (nonodorized) pad. These data indicate that breast odors from lactating females are especially attractive to female infants who are unfamiliar with the stimulus woman and who have had no prior breast-feeding experience.

Breast milk odor via olfactometer for tube-fed, premature infants

“…The reasons why maternally derived odors make good candidates as olfactory reinforcers of neonatal ingestive behavior are fundamental to the feeding ecology of newborns (Makin & Porter, 1989;Porter, 1991;Varendi, Porter, & Winberg, 1994). Evidence suggests that olfactory properties of breast milk overlap those of amniotic fluid, and that the positive or reinforcing qualities of amniotic fluid odor for newborns is soon superceded by those of breast milk (Varendi, Porter, & Winberg, 1997).…”

“…Odor stimuli activate ingestive behavior such as rooting and nonnutritive sucking (Makin & Porter, 1989;Porter, 1991). However, tube-fed, premature infants have restricted chemosensory experience of their mothers.…”

The development of potentially better practices to support the neurodevelopment of infants in the NICU

“…284 The newborn infant has an inherent preference for amniotic fluid odors, breast milk and their own mothers' odor signature. [284][285][286][287][288][289][290][291][292][293][294] Within days after birth, olfactory preferences seem to be reinforced by exogenous cues associated with the mother's unique body odor and breast milk characteristics, [295][296][297][298][299][300] which may be translated into improved non-nutritive sucking. 301,302 These familiar odors also seem to have an adjunctive calming or soothing effect compared to non-familiar odors or no odors during venipuncture or heel lancing procedures, 303,304 with the stress of maternal separation or as a soothing tool.…”

Mutual Olfactory Recognition Between Mother and Child

“…In one experiment, 5-day old infants turned towards a pad that had been in contact with the mother's breast for 3-4 hours more than towards a control, odourless pad; in a second experiment, 6-day old infants turned more towards a pad that had been in contact with the child's mother's breast compared with another that had had contact with the breast of another mother. Newborn babies also orient preferentially towards breast odours of lactating over those of non-lactating women (Makin & Porter 1989).…”