The analysis of sucking behaviour in newborn infants.
A special video camera devised by the author and a fiberscope were used to film the neonatal sucking response of 50 low-risk full-term newborn infants on the 5th day after birth. Analysis of the sucking behaviour showed that the sucking movements consist mainly of a peristaltic tongue movement and two kinds of negative pressure; that the peristaltic tongue movements are synchronized with the jaw movements; that infants actively adapt to a varying environment; and that the sucking movements change to minimize the energy required.
Eishima
K
K
Chikushi Jogakuen Junior College, Fukuoka, Japan.
D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D007568:Jaw / Q000502:physiology; D008046:Lip / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010528:Peristalsis; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology; D014743:Videotape Recording