<<<Is breastfeeding instinctive? There is a discussion on a multiples list I am on and they are debating whether or not breastfeeding is an instinct, even if it is something that needs to be learned.>>> I've understood breastfeeding isn't instinctive in higher graded mammals as humans and apes are. It is learned behaviour on the mothers part. If an ape isn't breastfed herself, and she hadn't been exposed to nursing babies she simply doens't know what to do. She picks up then baby but doesn't put it to the breast and the baby dies. Annelies *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html