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0–5 monthsGross Motor (physical culture)

begins to suck automatically when something touches their palate (sucking reflex)

Observe whether the child: begins to suck automatically when something touches their palate (sucking reflex)

What it looks like

Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.

Emerging

Just starting

Your baby sometimes starts sucking when something touches the palate, but the response may be brief, weak, or not seen every time.

What you might see

  • Sucking begins after a short delay when the palate is touched.
  • The response appears in some feeding moments but not every time.

Expected

On track

Your baby begins to suck automatically when something touches their palate, showing the sucking reflex described in the observation prompt.

What you might see

  • Sucking starts automatically after the palate is touched.
  • The response is visible without needing repeated prompting.
  • The sucking reflex can be observed during an appropriate feeding-related routine.

Exceeding

Going further

Your baby shows the automatic sucking response across familiar feeding-related moments, starting without extra encouragement when the palate is touched.

What you might see

  • The baby starts sucking promptly across more than one feeding-related observation.
  • The response happens naturally without extra encouragement once the palate is touched.

Try this at home

Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.

  • During a normal feeding routine, notice whether your baby starts sucking when the nipple touches the roof of the mouth.

  • Watch whether the sucking starts automatically or only after extra encouragement.

  • At another feeding, notice whether the same automatic sucking response happens again.

Where this comes from

The dataset source and any supporting developmental research.

Dataset source

  • Stenhaug, B., Ram, N., & Frank, M. C. (2021). The Stanford SHQ: A measure of early developmental milestones.

    This item directly matches the SHQ prompt about beginning to suck automatically when something touches the palate.

Developmental research

  • Brazelton, T. B., & Nugent, J. K. (1995). Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, 3rd ed. London: Mac Keith Press.

    Neonatal behavioral assessment includes reflexive and feeding-related responses, including early sucking behavior.