Mumms Theory

We now know that prenatal life consists of much more than simply floating blissfully in the amniotic sea. In fact, upwards of 70% of all prenates die. Some estimates for death at the stage of Implantation alone range from 40-65%.

During prenatal life (after implantation) babies develop a rich and complex relationship with their cord. It is through the cord that we eat, breathe, drink, excrete, and do much of our communication. Because we are in a closed uterine system, we experience the same sorts of impacts (nutritionally and emotionally) over and over again, and we respond umbilically. That is to say, in relationship to the umbilical cord, we absorb, suck, yearn, slurp, lick, defend, block, reject, deflect, and spit.

As the neurology of the prenate matures it catches up with the pre-existing biological conditions, and neuronets firing in the brain are formed in relationship with this umbilical life. These neuro-relationships, once the cord is cut, are partially maintained in connection with the mouth, tongue, throat, and eyes. As neonates and dry-mouth humans, this is where we eat, breathe, drink, excrete (exhale), and do much of our communicating. Therefore, some of the hardware and software written prenatally is experienced, most often unconsciously or semi-consciously in the mouth and face after birth. Hence: "metaphoric umbilical mouth movements."