Sucking Reflex Development in Infants

Normal Developmental Milestones

• For the first 3 months of life, the tongue acts as a piston within a cylinder to facilitate sucking on a nipple, according to the American Thoracic Society, as published in Chest 1, 2
• The ability to form a bolus of solid food develops as oral-pharyngeal structures mature, as recommended by the American Thoracic Society, with a strength of evidence based on observational studies 1, 2
• Biting ability is achieved at approximately 7 months of age, and chewing develops at 10-12 months, with a moderate level of evidence from longitudinal studies 1, 2
• Children achieve an adult pattern of muscle activation during swallowing by 5-8 years of age, with a high level of evidence from cross-sectional studies 1, 2