OBJECTIVE: To address aspects associated with the early detection and clinical management of oral disorders in breastfeeding. SOURCE OF DATA: Review of bibliographic sources (research articles, technical books, dissertations and national and international publications) focused on the clinical management of oral disorders in breastfed babies. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Suction disorders may lead to inadequate actions that can compromise the mother/baby relation during breastfeeding. Healthcare professionals may have an important role in these cases, as they can early detect such disorders. For that end, they must be able to assess breastfeeding and be prepared to manage oral disorders clinically. In the clinical management of babies with breastfeeding difficulties significant aspects of the oral physiology and breastfeeding observation should be considered. We stress the importance of an interdisciplinary team work and the need for oral training and specialized care in most complex cases. CONCLUSION: The baby's oral disorders in breastfeeding can be corrected if they were early detected. Healthcare professionals may help mothers and babies to overcome these problems if they have knowledge that enable them to perform right clinical procedures.
Breastfeeding; newborn; suction behavior
