Open-Mouthed Sleeping in Newborns: What Parents Need to Know

newborn sleeps with mouth open

Is it normal for newborn sleeps with mouth open? I am pretty sure that parents also have the same question like me when they have their first baby. I have already asked my children doctor about this frequency and she has given her explanation. Keep on reading to know the reason why and how to solve this problem.

An overview of the mouth-breathing state

The human nose plays a key role a breathing air for transferring oxygen from the air to the lungs and other parts of the body. There is no doubt that we normally breathe through our noses; however, someone ought to breathe by their mouths. When someone has the mouth-breathing, this is the time to pay attention to.

The mouth is not a typical breathing air for adults, children, and infants. Mouth-breathing might cause several issues such as the development in cavities, bacterial and viral infections, dry mouth, bad breath, chronic fatigue, Sinusitis disorder, respiratory infections, snoring, speech problem, etc. When having mouth-breathing, it may also change your posture and your facial features.

The reasons newborns sleep with mouth open

newborn sleeps with mouth open

There are many main reasons newborn sleeps with mouth open. Whether your baby has a mouth open or not, it is necessary to know all causes about this state.

Difficult breathing

Newborns will breathe through their mouth if they have difficult breathe through their noses during their sleeping time. Furthermore, infants often do this when they have colds. So, you should draw attention to this point at the same time.

Blocked mucus

When baby was in the womb, their nose was clogged with mucus. They will be oral breathers if they could not get rid of the mucus. To remove the mucus, it requires time to clear out and the time will be different between infants.

Nose allergy

Allergies are one of the most popular reasons of the mouth-breathing frequencies in both newborns and adults. Newborn sleeps with mouth open when he or she has chronic congestion or other acute states.

Deviated Nasal Septum

Deviated Nasal Septum is also a syndrome of the mouth breathing disorder that you should not miss out. There are a bone and cartilage in both sides of the nose. If this structure collapses, it will diverge inside the nose. Hence, it is easy for newborn sleeps with mouth open.

Tongue Tie

This is a malformation of the fraenulum makes a baby cannot use their tongue to touch the roof of the mouth. For infants have this condition often sleep with mouth open and they also have difficulty in feeding.

Pacifier usage

Are you aware that newborn sleeps with mouth open always use a pacifier all the time? If they do not have their lovely pacifier, they will suck their thumb. However, if you do not help them to stop this habit at the right time, it will prevent their tongue to move its place on the roof of their mouth.


How to recognize a mouth breather

Once you can realize a mouth breather in your infant, you will have the further step to solve this problem. Check some signs to know your newborn sleeps with mouth open or not.

Sleep with open mouth

This is a clear sign that your baby is breathing by using their mouth and it is very easy to recognize.

Observe newborns in the feeding time

When you see your baby needs to stop from sucking in order to reach their breath, he or she surely a mouth breather.

Have a noisy breathing

When your infants have a healthy breath, their breathing could be quiet. However, when you enable to hear a noise during their breathing, this is a warning factor for their breathing condition. This is also an accurate sign when your newborn sleeps with mouth open.


How to stop mouth-breathing condition

Prevent a cold or stuffy nose

When you see your baby has a cold, stuffy nose or any nasal condition, try to treat a good medication as soon as possible. By doing this, your baby feels comfortable on using the nose to breathe.

Draw attention to the allergies

Your infants might have some allergies that you need to pay attention, especially allergic rhinitis. Because allergies could also force your baby have to breathe through their mouth. On the flip side, you should find out allergens that your baby have by giving them a medical test.

Control your newborn sleeps with mouth open habit

If you could not realize any breathing issue, then there is no fear in closing their mouth. You should push their chin slowly to close their mouth and repeat this movement on a regular basis. It will prevent them from making this as a normal habit.

Conclusion

Eventually, the mouth-breathing condition is not a normal when your newborn sleeps with mouth open.

However, when you know how to solve it, you still have the time to relive this issue and stop the impacts for your baby. Mouth inhalation is a tremendous support in some emergency situations, but it does not a good habit to keep it with many side effects that mentioned above.

1 thought on “Open-Mouthed Sleeping in Newborns: What Parents Need to Know”

  1. frolep rotrem

    Exactly what I was looking for, appreciate it for posting.

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