Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
06:19
Non-Nutritive Suck Parameters Measurements Using a Custom Pressure Transducer System
Published on: April 19, 2024
Pacifier Stiffness Alters the Dynamics of the Suck Central Pattern Generator
Emily Zimmerman1, Steven M Barlow
1Graduate Research Associate, Communication Neuroscience Laboratories, Program in Speech, Language Hearing and Neuroscience, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas USA.
Journal of Neonatal Nursing : JNN
|June 4, 2009
Summary
Pacifier stiffness significantly impacts non-nutritive suck (NNS) dynamics in preterm infants. Stiffer pacifiers alter infant suck patterns, potentially affecting feeding outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Infant feeding behavior
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience feeding difficulties.
- Non-nutritive suck (NNS) is crucial for infant development.
- Pacifier properties can influence NNS dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of pacifier stiffness on NNS dynamics in preterm infants.
- To compare NNS patterns using pacifiers with different stiffness levels.
Main Methods:
- Tested stiffness of three silicone pacifiers used in NICU.
- Recorded NNS dynamics in 20 preterm infants using two pacifiers (Soothie™ and Super Soothie™) with varying stiffness.
- Analyzed NNS cycles/min, amplitude, cycles/burst, and cycle periods using ANOVA.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in NNS dynamics were observed based on pacifier stiffness.
- Super Soothie™ was 7 times stiffer than Soothie™.
- Infants adjusted their suck patterns in response to mechanical properties.
Conclusions:
- Infant suck central pattern generators adapt to varying pacifier stiffness.
- High pacifier stiffness may lead to decreased rhythmic patterning and negatively impact feeding.
- Infants showed no preference for stiffer pacifiers.
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