Sucking reflex ?!

[v1ss1]

Hey guys,

I'm currently trying to gather information for a seminar I have to prepare about the Sucking reflex in babies. I couldn't find much on the net after searching, would any of you have any idea of more info about its pathway etc?

My info till now is that when the palatine of the baby is touched, this elicits a suck response, with the facial nerve involved.

Thanks in advance!

[Razza17]

I am not an expert, but the bit of information you have said seems ok, but if you want to go into more detail you can say that the sucking reflex is very strong in some infants which helps them when grasping a bottle or a breast, because this reflex is strong, the baby may need to suck on a pacifier for comfort.

[Ellen B]

Ooh, there's lots you could go into: they suck their thumb in utero, the 'rooting reflex' is a big part of it (if you touch a newborn's cheek it'll turn its head and open its mouth).
Their 'suck' when breastfeeding isn't quite like ours - it's more of a squeezing motion, the baby literally milks the mother by squeezing the areola (not the nipple) between its tongue and the roof of its mouth. A different type of suck is required for the teat of a bottle, which is why it would be difficult to switch back to breast after bottles (though not impossible).

I know none of that is medical, or to do with pathways, but may be food for thought?