SUCKING

DEFINITION
Rhythmic movements of an
infants mouth & tongue either
on the bottle or breast to
obtain nourishment or on a
pacifier, hand, or other object
to modulate state or explore
the environment.

 In utero: 15 to 18 weeks of gestation *

In extra uterine environment: 27 to 28

weeks, disorganized , weak, immature,

random pattern
32 weeks: stronger sucking, emerging
burst-pause pattern
34-35 weeks: stable rhythm **
*Iannirubero,A.,& E.Tajani.1981Ultrasonographic study of
fetal movements. Seminars in Perinatology 5:175-181
**Hack,M. et.al., 1985,Development of sucking rhythms in
preterm infants. Early infant development 11:133-40

SEQUENCE OF SUCKING
Central groove of the tongue receives the nipple
Lateral portions of the tongue in contact with

palate
Lips & tongue close around the nipple
Posterior tongue elevates to maintain contact with
soft palate
Cheeks approximate tongue & nipple
Medial portion of tongue produces wave like motion
antero-posteriorly
Posterior portion of tongue is depressed
Enlarged oral cavity, negative pressure, suction
Propel bolus to pharynx
Mandible moves with the tongue in an ant.-inf.&
post.-sup. direction

BIOMECHANICS OF SUCKING
Sucking Pressure
Mouth acts a pump
Positive pressure: tongue
compresses the nipple
Negative pressure: closed oral
cavity or suction pulls fluid
into the mouth

BIOMECHANICS CONTD.
Motor Components
Tongue
Anteriorly seals against the nipple, compresses the
nipple
Posteriorly seals against the soft palate until the palate
is lifted for swallowing, creates negative intra-oral
pressure
Creates central groove in the antero-posterior
direction, stabilizes the nipple & channels the bolus
toward the pharynx

BIOMECHANICS CONTD.
Jaw
Stable base for movements of tongue,
lips, and cheeks
Creates intra-oral negative pressure
with downward movement
Lips
Seals the nipple with the tongue
Stabilize nipple position

BIOMECHANICS CONTD.
Cheeks
Fat

pads provide stability

Provides lateral boundaries for food on the tongue, thus
aiding in bolus formation

Palate
Hard

palate works with the tongue to compress the

nipple & maintain nipple position
Soft palate with the tongue creates the posterior seal for
the oral cavity
Elevates during swallowing to allow passage of the
bolus, seal the nasal cavity & prevent nasal reflux

WHY DOESNT BABY WANT TO SUCKLE?

Sometimes a newborn baby doesnt suckle well and mom can feel
desperate and helpless. There are many reasons for suckling
problems. Some of them are:

a negative association to touch (can be due to needles, pain, etc.),

resulting in the baby pulling away in order to self-protect
a negative association to the smell of the surroundings, or if moms
body is bathed in antiseptic or perfume
bright lights
a premature birth
a difficult birth
neuro-developmental delays

Thank You