An ultrasonographic study of the organisation of sucking and swallowing by newborn infants

Dev Med Child Neurol. 1986 Feb;28(1):19-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1986.tb03825.x.

Abstract

Healthy infants' sucking, swallowing and breathing movements were observed ultrasonographically during breast- and bottle-feeding between two and five days after birth. Sucks were found to occur either on their own or in combination with a swallow. Swallows did not occur on their own. Younger babies' swallowing invariably was associated with a pause in breathing. Older babies generally showed better co-ordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing than younger ones, whether breast- or bottle-feeding.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bottle Feeding
  • Breast Feeding
  • Deglutition*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn*
  • Male
  • Mouth / physiology*
  • Respiration
  • Sucking Behavior / physiology*
  • Ultrasonography*