To Joanne McCrory:

I'm eager to see what you find out about oxytocin being released in response
to sucking and/or pressure on the palate.  That's a new one to me.

One reason that babies are comforted by sucking is that they release CCK when
they suck.  (The vagus nerve is the pathway that takes the message from the
mouth to the baby's gut, where CCK is produced.  It also carries the message
from the mother's breast to her gut, so she releases CCK as well.)  The
effect of CCK (as seasoned Lactnetters have probably heard me say over and
over) is relaxation, satiety, and brain waves characteristic of sleep.

The most accessible reference is
Uvnas-Moberg K (1989). The gastrointestinal tract in growth and reproduction.
Scientific American, July 1989; 78-83.

and other good ones are
Uvnas-Moburg K, AM Widstrom, G Marchini, J Winberg (1987) Release of GI
hormones in mother and infant by sensory stimulation. Acta Paed Scand 76,
851-860.
Uvnas-Moberg K, Marchini G, Winberg J (1993). Plasma cholecystokinin
concentrations after breast feeding in healthy 4 day old infants. Arch Dis
Child 68:46-8.

Uvnas-Moberg has probably published some articles on oxytocin too.  You could
do a lit search under her name.

What does "AAHCC" stand for?

Peace.   Chris.

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