No matter what your future holds, weâve got you covered. With great doctors, screenings, and advanced research, weâve got a plan to keep you healthy â today and tomorrow. As a Kaiser Permanente member, you get more than just a health plan.
The sucking reflex seems to belong with the rooting reflex. It is present before birth, and also aids in breastfeeding. It causes the child to instinctively begin to suck on anything that touches the roof of their mouth. This reflex is common to mammals, and specifically designed to express milk through the breastfeeding process. There are two stages to the action.
Root reflex. Trigger: A gentle stroke on the newbornâs cheek; Response: Baby turns toward the touch, with mouth open; How long does the root reflex last? Appears at birth and lasts until baby is 3 to 4 months old (sometimes, babies continue doing this in their sleep past 4 months old) Reason: Helps baby find food; Suck reflex