breathes through nose
A newborn baby breathes through its nose as long as there is no obstruction in its nasal passages. Even the reflexes of breathing through the mouth of a 3 to 4 month old baby are not developed at all.
photo credit: pexels
Why do babies breathe through their mouths?
According to webmd, sleep apnea, mucus, stopping breastfeeding before the age of 3 months, using a pacifier for a long time or thumb sucking, enlarged tonsils and allergies can cause the baby to breathe through the mouth while sleeping.
what could be the problem
When the baby breathes through the mouth, the saliva can dry up faster and dry out the lips and mouth. Because of this, asthma can also take a serious form. Children who breathe continuously through the mouth tend to push the tongue towards the front teeth. This is called tongue thrusting. Frequent mouth breathing can weaken the muscles of the tongue and mouth, which can lead to problems such as the inability to chew food, slurred speech, and crooked teeth.
How to get rid of this habit of baby
If your baby sleeps with his mouth open and you want to break this habit, then install a humidifier in his room. It helps in preventing blockage in the nasal passage. Taking a bath with lukewarm water can also help. Steam can open a clogged nose. Give sufficient amount of breast milk or formula milk to the child. Staying hydrated is very important and it helps in clearing the nasal passages.
photo credit: pexels
when to see a doctor
If the nose is blocked then most of the times babies breathe through the mouth. The above mentioned measures can help in reducing the breathing problems. If there is an obvious problem, such as the baby having difficulty breathing or a change in the feeding pattern, you can consult a paediatrician. If your 6-month-old sleeps with his mouth open and you suspect that your baby may be suffering from sleep apnea, deviated septum, or any other condition, see a doctor. Keep monitoring the baby and also take care of his health.
