Book 33, Question 31 · Video
How do newborn mammals know how to nurse?
A newborn mammal doesn’t need lessons for its first meal. It has instincts, which are skills it is born with. A baby turns its head toward its mother’s warmth, uses its sense of smell, and opens its mouth when something touches its cheek. This is called rooting. Then it finds the nipple and starts to suck. Instincts help a baby get food right away.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do newborn mammals know how to nurse?
The Big Idea
A newborn mammal finds milk right away! No lessons needed. How does it know?
Instincts
Step one: Instincts. A newborn mammal doesn't need lessons for its first meal. It has instincts, which are skills it's born with.
Rooting
Step two: Rooting. A baby turns its head toward its mother's warmth and uses its sense of smell. It opens its mouth when something touches its cheek, which is called rooting.
First Meal
Step three: First Meal. Then it finds the nipple and starts to suck. Instincts help a baby get food right away, before it has time to learn anything.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Followed. Guides. Rooting. Instinct.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Human babies have a rooting instinct too. Instincts are skills you're born with. Smell guides babies. Warmth leads the way.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Have a friend hide a lemon slice in one of three cups. Close your eyes. Use only your nose to find it. Don't taste it, just sniff! Instincts work like that, but stronger.
Outro
Newborn mammals are born with instincts. A baby turns toward its mother's warmth, follows smell, and opens its mouth when its cheek is touched, called rooting. Then it finds milk right away. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!