Anatomy of Infant Suck

The learner will be able to:

• List the various muscles, bones, and fascia used during infant suck-swallow-breathe.
• Enumerate the functions of the six cranial nerves during infant suck-swallow-breathe.
• Describe the role that cortical and sub-cortical areas of the brain have in coordinating infant suck-swallow-breathe.

• Muscles involved in suck-swallow-breathe.
• Viscera of suck-swallow-breathe.
• Fascial connections of various structures.
• Central and peripheral nervous system innervation.
• Brain-stem nuclei and coordination between them.
• Sub-cortical involvement and control.
• Cortical involvement.

This module takes a detailed look at the roles and functions that anatomical structures like the brain, muscles, fascia, central and peripheral nervous systems play in suck-swallow breathe. Learners gain a baseline understanding of “normal.” Given that the driver of the breastfeeding system is the baby, the success of their suck-swallow-breathe coordination subsequently determines the robustness of the maternal milk supply, the health and growth of the breastfeeding infant, and the duration of the breastfeeding relationship. Many factors, including physical, lifestyle, and environmental, as well as cultural birth practices, easily impact the complex and delicate suck-swallow-breathe mechanism. Dysfunctional feeding is commonplace, requiring professionals to have the knowledge and skills to effectively evaluate infants, identify dysfunction, and generate appropriate treatment plans.

The content in this module is re-evaluated every three years in accordance with ANCC criteria. This content will be re-evaluated and updated on or before March 30, 2023.