Miya Pearson
A newborn baby breathing with an open mouth may be a cause for concern. While it can be adorable to witness, it may indicate that your baby is not getting enough oxygen through their nose. Mouth breathing in newborns can be caused by a variety of factors, including severe or chronic congestion, a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, or a tongue-tie. In some cases, mouth breathing can lead to long-term health issues if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to monitor your baby's sleeping habits and consult a pediatrician if you have any concerns.
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What You'll Learn
Tongue-tie
A tongue-tie is a thick, tight, or short strand of tissue under the tongue that restricts the tongue's movement and causes functional issues. Tongue-ties and lip-ties are collectively referred to as tethered oral tissues. Tongue-tie can impact nursing, speech, feeding, and sleep.
If tongue-tie is suspected, a consultation with a pediatric dentist or pediatrician is recommended. A frenectomy, or minor surgery to relax the lingual frenulum, can be performed to correct tongue-tie. This procedure is claimed to be nearly painless and can be done at any age, but it is most beneficial during infancy. In some cases, tongue-tie may be left untreated, and the decision to separate a tongue-tie is a personal one. However, if left untreated, tongue-tie can create issues in adulthood, including OSA.
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Hunger or fullness
Sticking out the tongue is a typical behaviour for babies and does not often indicate an underlying medical condition. It is one of the early signs of hunger, along with clenched hands, putting hands in the mouth, turning toward the breast or bottle, and smacking or licking the lips.
Babies are born with a strong sucking reflex and instinct for feeding. The tongue-thrust reflex, in which babies stick out their tongues, helps to facilitate breast or bottle feeding and prevent choking. This reflex typically disappears between four to six months of age, but some babies continue sticking out their tongues out of habit or because they find it interesting.
Babies may also stick out their tongues to indicate fullness or a dislike of certain foods. They may push food out of their mouths with their tongues when they are full or no longer want to eat. Other signs of fullness may include turning the head away, spitting out food or milk, and refusing to suck or eat.
It is important to monitor your baby's behaviour and body language to determine the cause of tongue sticking, especially if there are concerns about their feeding or development.
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Imitation of adult behaviour
Babies may also stick out their tongues to imitate older children or adults and test the reaction they get from their caregivers. They crave attention and are curious about adult behaviour. If an adult laughs in response to the baby sticking out their tongue, the baby might repeat this action more frequently.
The tongue-thrust reflex that babies are born with includes sticking out the tongue, which helps facilitate breast or bottle feeding. This reflex typically disappears between four to six months of age, but some babies continue sticking out their tongues out of habit because they find it interesting or funny.
Babies below six months may stick out their tongues instinctively, while those above this age group may do it intentionally. This behaviour is normal, and sticking out the tongue is rarely a sign of an underlying medical condition.
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Genetic differences
There are many reasons why a newborn might sleep with their tongue sticking out. One of the most common reasons is the tongue-thrust reflex, which is when a baby automatically extends its tongue in response to something touching its lips. This reflex helps facilitate breast or bottle feeding and usually disappears between 4 to 6 months of age.
In addition to tongue rolling, other genetic factors can affect the tongue. For example, a condition called macroglossia, which is characterized by a larger than average tongue, may be caused by genetics or abnormal blood vessel or muscle development in the tongue. Macroglossia can occur as a symptom of genetic syndromes such as Down syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
It is important to note that a baby sticking out their tongue is typically normal and does not often indicate an underlying medical condition. However, if you are concerned, it is always best to consult with a pediatrician.
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Mouth breathing
In addition to these immediate concerns, chronic mouth breathing can lead to long-term health issues. Mouth breathing can cause a dry mouth, which reduces saliva production and allows bacteria to remain on the teeth for longer, leading to bad breath and tooth decay. Mouth breathing can also affect a child's speech, causing them to struggle with certain sounds or develop a lisp.
If your child is mouth breathing, it is important to identify the underlying cause and address it. This may involve seeing a pediatric dentist or another healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment options can include breathing retraining, allergy management, orthodontic treatment, or, in severe cases, surgery.
While mouth breathing can be a concern, it is important to note that it is not always a cause for alarm. Occasionally sleeping with the mouth open, such as during a common cold, is normal and may not lead to significant health issues. However, if your child is experiencing frequent or chronic mouth breathing, it is important to seek medical advice to ensure they receive the appropriate care.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why a newborn baby sleeps with their tongue out, including hunger, fullness, or dislike of a certain food. Newborns may also be imitating adult behaviour or trying to get a response from their parent or caregiver.
Yes, it is normal for a newborn baby to sleep with their tongue out. The tongue-thrust reflex, which is present in newborns, includes sticking the tongue out to facilitate breast or bottle feeding. This reflex usually disappears between 4 to 6 months of age.
In some cases, a newborn sleeping with their tongue out may indicate a tongue-tie, which is a thick, tight, or short string of tissue under the tongue that restricts its movement. Tongue-ties can impact sleep quality and lead to mouth breathing, which can cause snoring and a dry mouth.
If you suspect your newborn has a tongue-tie, you should consult a healthcare professional for an evaluation. A CO2 laser release procedure is a quick, low-risk, and minimally invasive treatment option that can improve sleep quality and quantity.
Yes, newborns may sleep with their mouths open due to a blocked nasal passage or upper airway obstruction. This could be caused by a stuffy nose, allergies, or other conditions. Mouth breathing may develop as a habit and can lead to snoring and reduced oxygen absorption in the lungs.
