What Is a Sucking Reflex?
The sucking reflex is an involuntary reflex that happens spontaneously and is developed at around 36 weeks of pregnancy. This sucking reflux is poorly developed in premature babies, but it should be fully developed in fully matured babies. That is the reason sometimes premature babies may need a feeding tube for feeding. This is an important and primitive reflux; because of this reflex, the baby starts sucking milk. Lack of or poor sucking reflexes will result in a risk of poor nutrition and various other complications. These reflexes are essential in the first few weeks or months of life.
Sucking is not a simple process; it occurs in two steps, that is the baby at first holds the nipple in between the tongue and roof of the mouth, and in the second step, the infant will start sucking by moving the tongue up and down, by this way using reflexes the baby starts expressing the milk.
When Does Sucking Reflex Develop?
The sucking reflex starts developing at 34 weeks of pregnancy and is fully developed by 36 weeks of pregnancy. This can be observed in ultrasound during regular visits. For example, sucking can be observed in some children sucking their thumbs in ultrasound pictures. This is like a warm-up exercise for babies before entering the real world. However, this reflux is not developed in premature babies but fully developed in full-term babies.
What Causes Poor Sucking Reflex?
There are multiple causes for having poor sucking reflexes. The following are the reasons.
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Infants who were born prematurely will have poor or underdeveloped sucking reflexes.
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Those who have neonatal jaundice will have poor sucking reflexes.
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Infants with some neurological or developmental defects like Down syndrome will have underdeveloped or lack sucking reflexes.
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Those with cardiac defects can also have poor sucking reflexes.
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Infants with underlying infections are expected to have poor sucking reflexes.
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Those with tongue tie, cleft palate, and cleft lip.
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The type of labor may also be one of the reasons for poor sucking reflexes.
How To Stimulate a Sucking Reflex?
The sucking reflex is a very important reflex in the early stage of an infant. Lack of or poor sucking reflexes cause risk factors for nutrition, and the baby does grow his or her weight. So it is very important to stimulate the reflexes if they are not developed.
The caretaker or the mother has to wash her hands properly. The fingernails should be trimmed so that it does not harm the baby. Then gently stroke the middle finger on the baby's lower lip and your index finger on the baby's upper lip and allow the baby to open his or her mouth. When the baby starts opening his or her mouth, place the index finger on the lower side of the mouth, then the baby will start sucking. If the baby does not start sucking, gently touch the palate or the upper surface of the mouth and then gently press down on the back of the baby’s tongue while stroking the tongue forward. Then the baby will slowly start sucking. Keep repeating this procedure until someone feel the tongue move forward over the gum, and the baby starts sucking properly. This procedure will ease the mother and the baby and help stimulate the sucking reflex, and it plays an important role in the baby's overall development and well-being of the baby because the sucking reflex helps in nourishing the baby that improves its health.
What Happens if a Baby Does not Have a Sucking Reflex?
There are many complications associated with a poor sucking reflex, such as :
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The sucking reflex is the first and most important reflex developed by an infant. This baby starts breastfeeding or bottle feeding when only he or she develops sucking reflux. Lack of or poor development of weak reflexes will cause nutritional and weight gain problems in infants.
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There are few studies that show lack of or poor sucking reflexes results in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
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Poor sucking reflexes may also sometimes result in brain damage that disturbs the overall development of the child in the future.
What Are the Ways to Check for Sucking Reflexes?
The following are a few ways to check if the baby is sucking properly or not.
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Observe quick sucks followed by fewer slow sucks.
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Notice the slight movement of the infant's lower jaw.
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One can also hear mild, dull sounds when the baby is actually sucking.
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Will not cause any harm to mother.
What Are the Problems Caused by Poor Sucking Reflex?
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The baby will not be able to hold the nipple properly, either the breast or the bottle.
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Feeds for more than 30 minutes.
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They fall asleep very fastly.
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The baby does not wake up on his or her own for feeding.
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The stool count and the count of soaked wet diapers are also low in a day of 24 hours.
The poor sucking reflex can also cause problems for mothers, like,
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Causes red and cracked nipples.
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Does not have breast fullness before feedings and does not have softened breasts after feedings.
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Results in flattened nipples.
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Painful and bruised nipples.
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Painful and heavy breasts sometimes may cause increased temperature in feeding mothers.
Conclusion:
An infant’s inability to suck after birth is called a poor sucking reflex. It is an involuntary action that is performed by infants spontaneously. This is the first reflex developed at 36 weeks of pregnancy, which can be observed in the ultrasound of a baby. Sometimes, it is actually training before entering the real world. However, this sucking reflex is poorly developed in babies who were born prematurely. But it is expected to develop fully in full-term babies. Otherwise, poor sucking results in various complications. Take a lactation expert as early as possible to avoid further complications. Lack of or poor sucking reflexes will result in a risk of poor nutrition and various other complications. Premature babies may have poor sucking reflexes, but fully matured babies must have good reflux.
