Signs of A Good Suckling

In our last release, we shared 5 common and effective breastfeeding positions for a nursing mother and highlighted major signs that your baby is well latched. If you're yet to read that article, do so here.

In today's post we will share signs to look out for to tell if your baby is sucking well or not. 

Suckling is the specific term used to describe the process in which a baby feeds by sucking milk from the breast of the mother.

Suckling is one of the very first skills a newborn demonstrates. It's the natural reflex that allows babies to feed effectively at the breast. This instinct usually begins within minutes after birth and plays a crucial role in bonding, nutrition, and development.

Infact, a baby is born with the ability to root (that is, your baby's reflex in seeking out the breast or a feeding bottle when the corner of their mouth is touched), latch, and suck—all essential components of successful breastfeeding. When a baby suckles properly, they not only get nourishment but also comfort, warmth, and closeness with their caregiver.

Why is Suckling so Important?

1.It helps babies get the nutrients and antibodies in breast milk.

2. It stimulates the mother’s milk production.

3. It supports oral and facial muscle development.

Types of Suckling 

1.Non-nutritive suckling: This happens just at the start and end of suckling. At the start, It is a stimulation suck that's designed to get your body to release oxytocin, the hormone responsible for the let down reflex.

At this point, you will notice a pattern of quick sucks without pauses in between.

Towards the end of the feeding, you may also notice that the baby starts to do some flutter sucking. It feels like your baby is fluttering his or her tongue against your nipple. You may notice some long breaks in between where it seems like they may be falling asleep and then resumes the sucking. This is a normal pattern when your baby is getting towards the last of the milk that's available in that breast.

2. Nutritive sucking: This starts when milk has been let down. This suckling allows for milk transfer from the mothers breast to the baby.

Signs of a Good Nutritive Sucking

1.Your baby takes slow, rhythmic, deep suckles with pauses in-between few sucks to catch his/her breath.

2. You may be able to see or hear your baby swallowing after one or two suckles: You may hear a “huh-ah”bor soft “k” sound deep in the baby’s throat as he or she sucks. You may also notice rhythmic movement that begins at the edge of the baby’s chin and travels down the throat as your baby sucks and swallows

3. Suckling is comfortable and pain free for you and the breast feels softer after the feed. You may also notice that the nipple may become elongated after breastfeeding, but not pinched, blanched, or damaged.

4. Your baby finishes the feed, releases the breast and looks content and relaxed. You may offer the other breast if your baby still seems hungry.

In the next episode, we will be sharing with you how to tell that your baby is getting enough milk.

We love you dearly. Till then keep raising that Well Child. You can also get vital information on our social media channels on LinkedIn, Instagram and on Facebook.