Sucking reflex is a strong reflex in babies to ensure they feed regularly and sufficiently.
Mums will often talk about their babies sucking on the breast but not feeding and this can feel like the baby is using them like a dummy. New born babies need to suckle at the breast as they develop clear feeding times and a regular frequency to their feeds which becomes recognisable to their mothers in the first few days weeks of birth. If the baby is sucking for prolonged periods and coming off briefly before crying and needing to feed again then this needs further assessment as it could indicate a feeding issue and probably insufficient transfer of milk.
Babies as well as mums will breastfeed for comfort, both the giving and receiving of comfort. Suckling at the breast is normal as it is a powerful reflex in the baby. Sucking increasing the amount of skin to skin time for baby and mum which results is a surge in hormones which supports the attachment between mother and baby and improved bonding in the baby.
While not everyone can or does want to breastfeed everyone can increase skin to skin time with their baby. Both parents can enjoy this perfect time to connect and soak up the love hormone oxytocin.
See Nils Bergen work on kangaroo care demonstrates the incredible power of skin to skin in promoting emotional well-being and improved health outcomes.
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