Sucking in the newborn during a feed

Sucking throughout the feed remained uniform until the end of the last quarter when a reduction in frequency of sucking, time spent sucking, and sucking pressure took place, and there were no changes in sucking rate.

Abstract

Two components of sucking (suction and expression) were measured under three conditions: when no fluid was available, when small amounts of dextrose were delivered, and throughout a milk feed. Significant differences in sucking rate, time spent sucking, and pressure were found between the nonnutritive and dextrose conditions; these differences were more marked during the feed. Sucking throughout the feed remained uniform until the end of the last quarter when a reduction in frequency of sucking, time spent sucking, and sucking pressure took place. There were no changes in sucking rate. Heart rate rose during nutritive sucking and moment-to-moment variation in heart rate was reduced.