Sucking reflex

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The sucking reflex is common to all mammals and is present at birth. It is linked with the rooting reflex and breastfeeding, and causes the child to instinctively suck at anything that touches the roof of their mouth and suddenly starts to suck simulating the way they naturally eat. There are two stages to the action:

1. Expression: activated when the nipple is placed between a child’s lips and touches their palate. They will instinctively press it between their tongue and palate to draw out the milk.
2. Milking: The tongue moves from areola to nipple, coaxing milk from the mother to be swallowed by the child.