Significance of Sucking reflex
The sucking reflex is an essential automatic response in infants that plays a critical role in their feeding and development. It is triggered by touching the roof of a baby's mouth, prompting them to suck, which is vital for assessing the functioning of cranial nerves. This reflex not only facilitates feeding but also indicates the newborn's ability to engage in essential feeding behaviors, making it a key area of evaluation in early infant assessments.
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The concept of Sucking reflex in scientific sources
The sucking reflex is an essential response in newborns, initiated by touching the roof of their mouth, facilitating feeding and indicating their ability to engage in feeding behavior, which is evaluated for effectiveness.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) This is elicited by stroking the lip with a finger or a tongue blade, and an abnormal response will show lip pout, sucking, chewing, or swallowing movements.[1] (2) An infant's automatic sucking response, important for evaluating the function of cranial nerves.[2]