Baby Sleeping with Their Mouth Open?
As a parent, I am sure you want to ensure that your baby is getting the best possible sleep. One important factor that you might overlook is the way your baby is breathing during sleep. I know all those cute photos of your baby with their mouth open melts your heart, but there might an underline reason this is happening. And it might not necessarily be a good thing if your little one is constantly breathing through their mouth. It is important for babies to learn to breathe through their nose and close their mouths when sleeping. Today I’ll cover the reasons why babies need to close their mouths when sleeping and what to do about it if they aren’t.
Promotes Proper Growth and Development
Just like in adults, when your baby mouth breaths during sleep, it can lead to a number of health issues. Babies who breathe through their mouth while sleeping are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea, snoring and other breathing issues in their teens and adulthood because the palate, nasal bones and jaw cannot properly develop. Along with breastfeeding, mouth breathing promotes proper development of the soft and hard palate. It increases the chances of proper positioning of the tongue, which is at the roof of the mouth but not pushing against the teeth.
When a baby has correct resting tongue posture it creates a subtle pressure against the roof of the mouth which allows the palate bones to spread and create a broad dental arch and open airway. If this does not happen, the baby often develops a high arch or “bubble palate”. This is found to be associated with nasal septum deviation and narrowing of the nasal airway. Hence snoring and sleep apnea as the baby grows up. Proper tongue position can be hindered by tongue tie which you can read about here and more below.
Immune System Support
Breathing through the nose is the most efficient way for babies to get the oxygen they need for proper growth and development. When babies breathe through their nose, the air is filtered, moistened and warmed, which helps to prevent irritations and infections in the respiratory system. Research has shown that a moist nose and mouth lead to decreased infections and increased immune systems.
Helps Babies Sleep Better
Closing the mouth while sleeping helps to promote deeper and more restful sleep. When babies breathe through their nose, they are more likely to stay in a deep sleep, which is important for their overall health and well-being as well and brain development. We all need a certain amount of REM and non-REM sleep a night for our brains to “replenish”. This is of up most importance for a baby who’s brain is rapidly developing the most at this stage of life.
There’s actually a link between mouth breathing and symptoms typically associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research shows some kids diagnosed with ADHD may actually be dealing with issues from the sleep deprivation resulting from mouth breathing. The signs of both lack of sleep from mouth breathing and ADHD are similar so it becomes difficult to diagnose. (1)
Tongue Tie and Its Effects on Breathing and Palate Development
Tongue tie is a condition where the tongue's movement is restricted due to a short or tight frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This condition can lead to improper position of the tongue on the roof of the mouth, poor lip seal and mouth breathing, which can cause a number of issues related to breathing and palate development as explained above.
It has been shown that tongue-tie may also influence lower jaw development (mandible) and a small and/or recessed jaw which can impact the airway/ breathing too.
If you suspect that your baby has tongue tie, it is important to consult with a lactation consultant and/or speech therapist that specializes in tongue tie. They can provide guidance on whether a procedure such as a frenectomy, which involves cutting the frenulum, may be necessary to improve the baby's ability to breastfeed and prevent mouth breathing. Keep in mind, just because they are a lactation consultant does not mean they have expertise in tongue tie and oral facial development; seek out the providers that do.
Should we Jump to a Frenectomy?
In my office this is one of the most common questions I hear. Whilst there is growing acknowledgement of the influence tongue-tie has on oral facial development including the development of the airway, there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of tongue-tie frenectomy in preventing and treating these issues. Richard Baxter (2018) talks about using palate expansion alongside the removal of tonsils and adenoids as being effective in reducing sleep disordered breathing. However research on this approach is lacking. (2)
If your baby has a tongue tie a frenectomy is not always the fix to make everything better. I often see babies that are not only restricted at the tongue and palate itself, but in the entire body. Having your baby see a craniosacral therapist and/or chiropractor to address the WHOLE body is important regardless if you decide to do a frencectomy or not. In many cases I have worked with babies who end up not needing a frenectomy after a few sessions of bodywork. I have also worked with many babies who have a frenectomy and do really well after.
My motto? Advocate for the baby and parent not for the procedure. It’s important to recognize every situation and every mouth is different. What works for one baby does not always work for the other, and only you as the parent can decide.
How to Encourage Nose Breathing
Encouraging your baby to breathe through their nose while sleeping is important, but it can take some time for them to learn. You can help by keeping their nasal passages clear and using a humidifier to keep the air moist. You can also gently close their mouth if you notice them mouth breathing during sleep.
By addressing tongue tie early on, you can help prevent issues related to breathing and palate development in your baby. Ensuring proper feeding habits and promoting nose breathing can help your baby develop a healthy palate and breathe properly during sleep, which is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Again be sure to seek out the experts that specialize in oral-facial restrictions.
In conclusion, ensuring that your baby closes their mouth while sleeping is essential for their health and well-being. It can help prevent health issues, promote proper growth and development, and improve sleep quality. As a parent, taking steps to encourage nose breathing is crucial in ensuring that your baby is breathing properly during sleep and getting the best possible sleep.
As always, if you have any questions please reach out to me
References:
https://sarahoakleylactation.co.uk/mouth-breathing-and-tongue-tie/#:~:text=Why does it matter whether,obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).