All babies come into this world with a set of reflexes to ensure that they survive and thrive. Sometimes it might be tough to figure out the point of some of these reflexes (the fencing reflex, for starters).
But other times it’s crystal clear why Mother Nature endowed your newborn with these particular responses. Enter the sucking reflex, which helps your baby nab the nourishment he needs.
What is the sucking reflex?
The sucking reflex is exactly what it sounds like: Touch the roof of your infant’s mouth with something — your nipple, pinky finger or pacifier — and your newborn will begin to suck on it. Your baby won’t even have to think about it — he’ll just naturally suck because it’s a way to score milk.
But the sucking reflex also has another purpose: It calms your cutie down. So the next time your little one fusses, let him suck on his fingers or thumb.
What is the difference between the rooting and sucking reflex? Well, they’re both feeding cues. But while the sucking reflex is the actual motion your baby makes to get the milk (or formula),while the rooting reflex is what your baby does to find the source of food. Gently stroke his cheek, and your newborn will turn his head toward you while opening his mouth. If he could talk, he’d be saying, “Feed me!”
When does the sucking reflex develop in newborns?
The sucking reflex is so hard-wired in your baby that it developed while he was still in the womb, somewhere around 32 weeks of pregnancy and is not fully developed until 36 weeks. At birth, this sucking reflex shows up as an eagerness to breastfeed, which is strongest about an hour after childbirth.
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Wondering if the sucking reflex goes away? The urge doesn't disappear in babies, but it does morph from a reflex into something called voluntary sucking sometime between 2 and 4 months of age, which just means he has more control over his sucking technique.
How do you test a newborn’s sucking reflex?
You can trigger the sucking reflex, and doctors will check for it at your baby’s first checkup. First, your pediatrician will stick a clean thumb or pinky finger into your baby’s mouth. As your baby sucks on the doctor's thumb, the pediatrician can tell how strong or weak it is. Most preemies haven’t had time to develop the reflex while in the womb, so premature babies have a weaker, less coordinated suck.
Of course, you don’t have to test your baby’s sucking reflex. You’ll discover it the first time you breastfeed or put a bottle to your newborn’s mouth. And after your baby has gotten the hang of breastfeeding in about three or four weeks, go ahead and get a pacifier for your little one, which can be a self-soother during stressful times. (Why wait? Sucking on a pacifier might interfere with your newborn’s ability to breastfeed properly.)
How can you improve a newborn’s sucking reflex?
Unless your newborn was born too early or has neurological problems, he’ll know how to suck. But sucking efficiently is another story, and many babies need help doing that.
After all, latching on and sucking involve a series of maneuvers. First, your baby places his lips around the nipple and areola (the darker area surrounding the nipple where the milk ducts are) with the nipple as far back into his mouth as possible. Then he positions his tongue so your breast is between his tongue and roof of the mouth and then begins to gum it so the milk comes out.
So it’s not surprising that some babies can have sucking reflex problems. The main one: Having a weak or inefficient suck (like many preemies do). How can you tell your baby isn’t sucking effectively? Some signs include:
Your baby latches on, then lets go over and over again
Falls asleep after sucking for two to three minutes
Nurses for more than 45 minutes and still seems hungry
Doesn’t suck continuously for 10 minutes
Gets overly frustrated when he nurses
Your nipples are constantly sore, cracked or bruised
How to fix breastfeeding and latching problems? Well, first get help from the get-go, either from the hospital nurses or from a lactation consultant. They might recommend a nipple shield, which fits over your nipple and areola for a better latch.
Try to limit the time you breastfeed if it’s taking more than 45 minutes; otherwise, you or your baby will become frustrated. Then pump the rest of the milk to maintain your milk supply.
Also make sure your baby takes the nipple and areola in his mouth as he latches on so his gums can squeeze the milk ducts under the areola to get the milk. Keep your hand on your breast until your baby opens wide, then bring your baby closer to the breast. Once your baby has latched on firmly, let go.
You’ll know your baby has latched on correctly if his nose and chin touch your breast, you hear your baby swallowing and he ends each nursing session with a sleepy, satisfied look. It takes a lot of coordination for babies to master sucking, swallowing and breathing simultaneously, so be patient. He’ll get there.
When to call the doctor
Newborn reflexes may be strange-looking, primitive behaviors, but they show that your little one's brain and nervous system are working together and getting your baby ready for the time when his movements become less random.
So when they’re missing, or they go away before they’re supposed to, or hang around longer, doctors take note. The same is true for the sucking reflex. A baby who doesn’t have this reflex may have something wrong with his nervous system. If the suck is weak, and your baby wasn’t born too early, then doctors will look for another cause (which could turn out to be jaundice or an infection).
If your baby isn’t sucking to self-soothe or shows signs of ineffective sucking, mention it to the pediatrician. The doctor will check for the reflex again and will probably suggest a lactation consultant or another pro who can help.
Once your baby gets better at coordinating sucking, swallowing and breathing, the sucking reflex will change over into a skill. After a few weeks, for instance, you’ll be able to introduce a bottle (and a pacifier). Your newborn will have the smarts to know how to suck on the bottle nipple to get the goods versus the harder work he has to do to get milk from your breast — which is pretty amazing for such a tiny baby.
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