‘嗦奶’ is a colloquial, onomatopoeic verb describing the rhythmic, sucking action of an infant or young child feeding at the breast or bottle. The character 嗦 (suō) imitates the soft, repetitive sound of sucking, while 奶 (nǎi) means ‘milk’ — together, they vividly evoke the physical act and sensory experience of nursing. It’s used almost exclusively in informal, affectionate, or descriptive contexts involving babies, toddlers, or even young mammals (e.g., puppies, kittens).

This term carries warmth and intimacy but is not clinical or formal; it would not appear in medical textbooks, where terms like 吸吮 (xī shǔn) or 哺乳 (bǔ rǔ) are preferred. Parents, caregivers, and pet owners commonly use it in everyday speech to describe feeding behavior, often with gentle humor or tenderness. It implies active, oral intake—not passive drinking—and usually suggests comfort, nourishment, and bonding.