[Physiologic sucking performance and the shape of the oral cavity in infants and young children with respect to the design of nipples for nursing bottles and pacifiers].

Empirical data for functional measurements of the infant oral cavity under stimulated sucking conditions are presented. The data may serve as a basis for the design of nourishing and nipple-shaped pacifiers. Casts of the oral cavity during sucking show a sagittal flattening. The length of the nipple-head influences sucking capacity.