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Maternal and Child Health Bureau logoA Health Professionals Guide to Pediatric Oral Health Management
HomeModuleModule 1: An Introduction to Infants' and Young Children's Oral HealthModule 2: Managing Infants' and Young Children's Oral HealthModule 3: Oral Conditions and AbnormalitiesModule 4: Prevention of Oral DiseaseModule 5: Non-Nutritive Sucking HabitsModule 6: Oral InjuryModule 7: Infants and Young Children with Special Health Care NeedsContentsGlossaryEvaluationHelp
Module 5: Non-nutritive Sucking Habits
Module Contents
Overview
5.1 Sucking — A Normal, Healthy Reflex
(current page)
5.2 Childhood Patterns of Non-nutritive Sucking
5.3 Choosing a Pacifier
5.4 Effects of
Non-nutritive Sucking
Habits
 
 
5.5 Interventions for
Non-nutritive Sucking
Habits
 
 
Key Points
Post-Test
References
Additional Resources



photo of young girl sucking her thumb5.1 Sucking — A Normal, Healthy Reflex

Sucking is a natural reflex for infants. Most infants and young children require some amount of additional sucking beyond that needed for nourishment. This type of sucking, known as non-nutritive sucking, provides emotional benefits, enabling the infant or child to calm himself and focus attention. Non-nutritive sucking can be an important first step in the infant’s development of self-regulation and ability to control emotion.[1]

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logo: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau