Neonatal Feeding
risk factors associated with infant feeding potential medical components related to infant feeding key elements of current research evidence related to best practices in assessment/treatment of infant feeding/swallowing Pharyngeal swallow one of first motor responses in pharynx ▪ Observed in 10th-11th week of fetal life ▪ True suckling present around 18th-24th week ▪ By 34th week most healthy fetuses can suckle and swallow well enough to sustain nutritional needs Suckling ▪ Defined backward and forward movements of tongue ▪ Liquid drawn into mouth through rhythmic licking action of tongue and opening/closing of jaw ▪ Lips loosely approximation ▪ Tongue does not protrude past border of lips ▪ Normal in early infancy (>6 months) Sucking ▪ Develops around 6 months ▪ Body of tongue raises and lowers with strong activity of intrinsic muscles with an up-down tongue movement pattern ▪ Firmer