Baby Sleeping With Mouth Open, Is It Normal?
It is not normal for a child to sleep with their mouth open!
When a baby consistently sleeps with their mouth open, it can indicate an underlying concern such as nasal congestion, airway obstruction, deviated septum or even sleep apnea. Though it’s not uncommon for babies to breathe through their mouths when they have a cold, healthy babies predominately breathe through their noses [1]. If your baby regularly sleeps with their mouth open, especially over an extended period, it’s a good idea to consult with a pediatrician.
Written & Reviewed by Dr. Ngo, Pediatric Dentist and Resident with Tufts University School of Dental Medicine for Pediatric Sleep Medicine
What causes a newborn baby to sleep with their mouth open?
Here are some of the possile reasons for mouth breathing in newborn babies:
- Nasal Congestion: A stuffy nose due to mucus buildup or a cold can make nasal breathing difficult, causing babies to rely on mouth breathing.
- Blocked Airway: Enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or other physical obstructions can limit airflow, leading to persistent mouth breathing.
- Sleep Apnea: In some cases, mouth breathing is linked to sleep apnea, a condition where airflow is repeatedly blocked during sleep.
- Habit Formation: Even after recovering from a cold or congestion, some babies may continue mouth breathing out of habit.
- Deviated Septum: A structural issue in the nasal passage, such as a deviated septum, can make nasal breathing more challenging.
Click Here to read from another source:
The article below goes into detail on the developmental and behavior issues that come with mouth breathing.
Read here below on the causes and symptoms of mouth breathing from a dental perspective.
- International Journal of Pediatrics. (2012). It Takes a Mouth to Eat and a Nose to Breathe: Abnormal Oral Respiration Affects Neonates’ Oral Competence and Systemic Adaptation, 2012. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3397177/