Ch6

Question 1

Identify 3 reflexes. Discuss how they help infants nourish themselves.

Answer 1

Gag Reflex
- Prevent taking food into the lungs. Help infants suck and swallow in a coordinated pattern that protects the airways.

Oral Search reflex
- Infant opening mouth Wife in proximity to the breast while thrusting the tongue forward.

Rooting reflex
- Infants come forward, open their mouths and extend their tongue when the centre of the upper or lower lip is stimulated.

Oral search and rooting reflex help the infant position herself for breastfeeding.

Question 2

How infant suckling leads to milk secretion for the mammary glands.

Answer 2

• The letdown reflex stimulates milk release from the breast.
• The stimuli from infant suckling passes through nerves to the hypothalamus which promotes release of oxytocin from the pituitary.
• Oxytocin cause letdown.