World Breastfeeding Week – Facial Development

These World Breastfeeding posts were from a series featured on the Santosha Instagram profile and Facebook page. They are short and sharp posts intended to share little facts about breastfeeding. If you would like more information, I recommend Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding.


The movement of the baby’s mouth and jaw while feeding at the breast is essential for optimum facial development. It helps to develop muscles for speech and also correct moulding of the hard palate (roof of the mouth) and the whole cranial system (skull). Breastfeeding can also help to prevent malocclusion of teeth and there are antibodies in that breastmilk may help to impede bacterial growth, including Streptococcus mutans, which is the bacterium that causes tooth decay.

📸 credit: Woman&Womb – Doula & Photographer

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