Neonatal sucking and maternal feeding practices

M Ramsay1, E G Gisel

  • 1Department of Psychology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Quebec, Canada.

This study is the first to demonstrate an association between neonatal and later sucking ability, clinical signs of feeding ability and maternal feeding practices. Of 49 infants followed to a mean age of six weeks, 20 had some feeding problems (compensatory group), based on changes in feeding practices by their mothers, and 29 did not (non-compensatory group). Infants in the compensatory group performed less well on initial and follow-up sucking measures than infants in the non-compensatory group, indicating that they were feeding less efficiently from birth. Also, infants in the compensatory group ingested less during follow-up testing and were reported to be fed more frequently at home by their mothers than infants in the non-compensatory group. These findings strongly suggest that even among healthy infants, there may be more with problematic feeding abilities than have been previously recognized and that mothers are a reliable source of information about their infants' feeding abilities.

Related Concept Videos

Parental Care01:37

Parental Care

Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway01:29

Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway

Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...