I would disagree with this.  WHen a baby breastfeeds, the cheeks and
lips are active as well.  Lips need to maintain the seal despite
increased negative pressure in the mouth; and cheeks need to maintain
against the negative pressure as well, and provide a border for tongue
movement.  Floppy cheeks don't provide much of a border, and the tongue
moves around the mouth.

Unfortunately, much of the information on suck in the speech and
occupational therapy literature is incorrect in light of ultrasound and
cineradiographic studies (Woolridge, Ardran, Kemp, Bosma).  I purchased
a book on oral motor therapy which someone raved about on lactnet, and
it quotes the same incorrect information on suck.  I worry about therapy
based on an incorrect understanding of tongue function.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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