Objective: To reflect on the repercussions of premature babies' oral ability concerning breastfeeding, under the light of the theory of causation.
Methods: Theoretical production of reflections based on Hobbes's theory of causation.
Results: The study addresses the understanding of oral abilities as the main accident regarding the capacity of the premature newborn, which, coupled with other accidents that make up the other domains, concerning breastfeeding, is an integral cause of the phenomenon.
Final considerations: Although there are protocols, even if some of them are inconsistent or incomplete, the use of criteria such as weight and gestational age as standards to understand this readiness can still be observed. However, the effect manifests itself even in the absence of these accidents, showing them as partial causes of the phenomenon, while oral ability is, by itself, a necessary cause for this event to take place.