Nutritive suck is when the child receives milk or another form of nutrient from a bottle or breast, while nonnutritive suck (NNS) is the action of sucking but receiving no nutrients. Appearance of nutritive suck occurs between 15-18 weeks gestational age and NNS becomes stable and accurately patterned by 32 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) (Barlow, Burch, Venkatasan, Harold, & Zimmerman, 2012). Both forms hold importance for infants and act as a stepping stone to later developing motor activities. The ability to suck does not imply readiness to exhibit oral feeding skills. NNS in infants does not necessitate advanced swallowing skills, only the ability to handle their own secretions. More time must be allotted for the infant to acquire the abilities needed to independently feed orally. Bottle feeding requires coordination of nutritive suck, swallow, and breathing techniques. This act is not usually attained until 34 weeks PMA (Barlow et al., 2012). If any steps to independent feeding are missing treatment must be provided immediately and efficiently by the
Nutritive suck is when the child receives milk or another form of nutrient from a bottle or breast, while nonnutritive suck (NNS) is the action of sucking but receiving no nutrients. Appearance of nutritive suck occurs between 15-18 weeks gestational age and NNS becomes stable and accurately patterned by 32 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) (Barlow, Burch, Venkatasan, Harold, & Zimmerman, 2012). Both forms hold importance for infants and act as a stepping stone to later developing motor activities. The ability to suck does not imply readiness to exhibit oral feeding skills. NNS in infants does not necessitate advanced swallowing skills, only the ability to handle their own secretions. More time must be allotted for the infant to acquire the abilities needed to independently feed orally. Bottle feeding requires coordination of nutritive suck, swallow, and breathing techniques. This act is not usually attained until 34 weeks PMA (Barlow et al., 2012). If any steps to independent feeding are missing treatment must be provided immediately and efficiently by the