Question

D 2. a) Identify three reflexes of healthy term infants. b) Discuss how these help infants obtain adequate nutrients from breastfeeding.

Answer 1

The healthy infant has new born reflexes that help them to find the location of nourishment and suck and swallow the milk which is important for their survival.

a) The three reflexes of a healthy infant are

• Rooting reflex ; It present at birth and last about 4 months.. When the infants one side of mouth is touched or check stroked, the infant will turn the head towards the same side and open the mouth.
• Suck/Swallow reflex ; It present at birth till 4 th month. When the lips, or roof of the mouth is touched, the baby will start to suck and movement of tongue back and forth allow the swallowing.
• Tongue thrust reflex ; This reflex seen from birth to 6 months When the lips of the baby is touched, the tongue will protrude out of the mouth.
• Gag reflex ; When the back of the mouth or tongue is touched by an object, the object expelled out by the help of tongue. It last till 6 months.

b) How reflex help infant in effective breastfeeding

The rooting reflex help the infant to locate the nipple when the face is touched on the breast. it helps to turn the baby head toward the nipple and open moth to allow grabbing the nipple inside the mouth. The sucking and swallowing reflex allow the baby to get milk from the breast and the swallowing allow the movement of milk  back of the tongue. sucking also help good attachment to the nipple and squeeze the nipple for enough pumping of milk. Tongue trust reflex helps feeding from breast, bottle or spoon, and gag reflex help to protect the infant from choking .