The ability of the baby to feed efficiently depends upon the coordination of the suck, swallow and breathing reflexes. The development of these reflexes begins during the fetal period and reaches maturity at approximately 40 weeks of gestation. Therefore, a term, healthy baby is usually well able to breastfeed soon after birth, while a preterm baby may take several days or weeks before this is possible.

The question, to which there is still no answer, is, what kind of stimuli is most appropriate for a preterm baby, to help him learn to feed orally once outside the uterus, which will also enhance the natural maturation process. There is sequence of milestones in the normal development for helping a baby to ‘learn' to breastfeed and various factors affecting a baby's ability to feed efficiently.

Mahapedicon 2005 - Conference Abstracts.Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2006 [cited 15 July 2006(Supplement 7)];3. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
MAH_PEDICON2006/feeding_abilities.asp