One of the most tranquil images for new parents is a sleeping baby. You may look at those tiny fingers and toes when your baby is relaxed. Their drowsy eyes and twitchy nose are there for you to enjoy. You adore their sweet open mouth and all of their small moans and snores.
But hold on, you might want to pay closer attention to that final feature. If left untreated, mouth breathing while sleeping may be a symptom of specific upper respiratory conditions.
Find out more about the causes of your baby’s mouth opening as they sleep, what you can do to help, and when to call your pediatrician.
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Is Baby’s Mouth Open While They Sleep Common?
Unless there is an obstruction in their nasal tube, newborn newborns usually breathe through their noses. The urge to breathe via their mouths does not appear in young babies until they are 3–4 months old. According to research, blockages in the higher airways, stuffy noses, or swollen throats cause people to start breathing via their mouths, mostly while they are sleeping. While breathing through the mouth is safe, breathing through the nose is more beneficial. When breathing through the nose, more oxygen is taken in and the body is protected against bacteria and irritations.
Healthy newborns have a reflex to breathe via their noses. On the other hand, breathing with an open mouth is not a long-term healthy breathing technique. There is a good likelihood that a newborn who sleeps with their mouth open has a cold or runny nose that is causing the congestion. There is not much cause for concern if it is only temporary. But experts and studies have shown that it might cause a disease. Babies who sleep with their mouths open risk developing behavioral challenges, sleep disturbances, and other oral health problems. Babies could have trouble moving their tongues and eating. If the issue continues, it’s critical to determine the cause of your baby’s wide mouth sleeping.
What leads to a baby’s mouth breathing?
As previously noted, nasal and airway obstruction brought on by a cold or other illness are a few causes of why babies breathe through their mouths. Let’s look at some of the possible reasons why infants might breathe through their mouths when sleeping:
Mucus
Your baby’s nasal passages are blocked with mucus, making breathing challenging. They start breathing through their lips whenever it becomes difficult for them to breathe via their nose. A cold or an allergic reaction to something in the environment may cause mucus to build up. Babies use mouth breathing to compensate for their inability to clear their mucus on their own.
Sleep Apnea
It is a condition when the upper airways become clogged for various reasons, such as infected or enlarged tonsils or swollen adenoids. Snoring, uneven breathing, mouth breathing, sleep terrors, tiredness even after a long sleep, and restless sleep are all possible indications of this disorder in infants.
A divergent septum
A slender tissue wall known as the nasal septum divides the nasal passageways. Breathing through the nose becomes difficult when this septum is bent or moved to one side. At the time the fetus is developing, the nasal septum may deviate. The cartilage and bone that make up the nasal septum typically become aberrant as a result of this. Babies might start breathing through their noses as a result of this.
Allergies
As a result of excessive mucus production that may obstruct nasal passages, infants are more prone to developing allergies. To clear the nasal passages and improve breathing, consider using an aspirator.
Habit
Babies who have breathing difficulties may naturally start to breathe with their mouths open.
Tongue-tied
Inability to contact the tongue on the roof of the mouth in newborns with restricted tongue movement. This makes sucking challenging. When breathing through the nose, the tongue remains firmly affixed to the roof of the mouth; otherwise, the mouth opens. This condition causes mouth breathing during sleeping and may make breastfeeding challenging. The tongue can occasionally re-enter the airway, obstructing it in some way.
Should I Worry When Baby Sleeping With Mouth Open?
We worry about pretty much everything that has to do with our kids as parents. If the congestion just lasts a few days, mouth breathing shouldn’t be a problem. Though it should be stopped, nighttime mouth breathing is persistent and can cause a number of problems.
Children who mouth breathe frequently have poor sleep, which makes them tired during the day, says dentist Dr. Yosh Jefferson. Lack of sleep may also affect behavior, facial and dental development, growth, and development. They might get a short jaw and “long face syndrome.” It can also lead to low blood oxygen levels, which can cause issues with the heart, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, among other health issues.
As soon as you can, discuss with your pediatrician your baby’s propensity for mouth breathing. Instead of waiting until your child’s next checkup, make an appointment with your pediatrician right away. At this pivotal time in your baby’s development, poor sleep can have a big detrimental effect. Infants who mouth breathe for a prolonged period of time may also experience heart problems and high blood pressure. Keep an eye on your baby while they sleep to spot any further issues, including snoring or breathing pauses, so you can call the doctor. Once your physician is aware of your baby’s mouth breathing patterns, the doctor will be able to provide you with the best advice on what to do next in order to make a diagnosis.
What To Do If Baby Sleeping With Mouth Open?
It’s crucial to speak with your pediatrician if you have any concerns or if you have observed your kid frequently mouth breathing while dozing off. In order to avoid developing a long-term habit and other issues, you should find a temporary solution to the issue right away if the mouth breathing is caused by a slight annoyance, such as having too much mucus. Your infant will breathe easier and sleep more soundly with the help of the following simple cures.
Humidifier
Air moisture can relieve congested nostrils. To reduce the danger of burns, a cool-mist humidifier is best for infants and young children. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can think about having your infant sit with you in the bathroom while a hot shower is running to produce steam.
Bulb Syringe
Even a small amount of mucus in your baby’s nose can make it hard for them to breathe. You can suck it out using a basic bulb syringe or one of those fancy snot suckers, like the NoseFrida. Be gentle so you don’t hurt your little one’s nose. And clean your syringe with each use to prevent harmful bacteria from forming.
Filter The Air
Poor air quality is one of the most frequent reasons for excessive snot. Your baby’s allergies may be irritated by allergens in the air, which would cause them to produce more mucus. An air filter will immediately enhance the quality of the air and maybe reduce mucus.
Saline Solution
Before sucking out the mucus, a few sprays of a saline solution (salt water) may assist thin and releasing the mucus. You might even give a neti pot or saline rinse a try if your child grows a little older. Just be sure to boil the tap water for safety, then let it cool or use distilled water.
Remove Allergens
If you have dogs, make sure to frequently vacuum and clean the house to get rid of pet dander. If necessary, smoke outside, but don’t forget to open the windows to let some fresh air in. Regular cleaning can make a big difference.
Bathe Baby In Warm Water
If your baby finds bathing calming or enjoyable, it might rapidly ease fussiness. They may feel calmer and less stuffy as a result of the warm water’s ability to thin out their mucus and facilitate better drainage.
Remain Hydrated
To prevent dehydration and maintain the flow of mucus, make sure your infant is drinking sufficient breast milk or formula.
Vacuum It Up
You get to do their nose-blowing and coughing because babies don’t yet know how to do those things for themselves. Yay! A baby’s mouth or nose can be suctioned to assist remove extra mucus that is obstructing their ability to breathe. Just be careful not to go overboard. When it’s not essential, using too much suction can actually make you produce more mucus. After clearing the mucus with a nasal syringe, stop.
How Can I Prevent My Kid From Sleeping With Her Lips Open?
Depending on what is causing the mouth breathing, yes. Use a cool-mist humidifier in their room overnight if the congestion is only temporary due to a cold. Before they go to bed, you can also clean their nose of mucus with a bulb syringe or a NoseFrida. Another at-home treatment for nasal congestion is to put the baby to sleep with you in a steamy bathtub.
When To Visit A Doctor?
Call 911 or transport your baby to the emergency room right away if you see that they are choking, having difficulties breathing, or are otherwise showing signs of being blue or purple. These are indications that your child is not breathing or is having severe respiratory difficulties.
An occasional wide mouth during sleeping is typically an indication of congestion. If you’ve tried the aforementioned solutions and your child’s mouth is still open when they’re sleeping, it might be worthwhile to discuss it with your pediatrician.
In certain circumstances, swollen tonsils and adenoids may be infected and not respond to home remedies. Others can simply have larger ones owing to genetics. For more significant problems, your doctor may advise testing, sleep studies, or surgery.
Be observant instead of panicking or becoming unduly nervous as a parent. Pay attention to the symptoms, take advantage of over-the-counter medications for congestion relief if necessary, and be sure to speak with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.
Summary
The article talked about the common phenomenon that babies sleeping with their mouths open. Some parents were worried about this. Therefore, the article thoroughly explained the question in many ways.