My baby sleeps with his mouth open

A baby sleeping peacefully is one of the most beautiful scenes to see. Who of us has never been enchanted to see that little being relaxed with his mouth open, sleeping like an angel.

As cute as it may seem, if the baby always sleeps with his mouth open, you need to check if he is able to breathe properly or if there is a problem that is preventing him from closing his mouth.

See if there is nothing obstructing the passage of air through the nose. He may have a cold or just a clogged up nose, which is normal, mainly because the baby’s nasal passages are still very small.

Be careful not to get paranoid and fidget with the baby all the time when he is sleeping. This can be stressful for you and also for him, who will have his sleep interrupted.

First of all, you need to understand how your baby breathes and when it should really be concerning.

Understand baby’s breathing

Like adults, babies breathe through their noses, however the frequency is much faster. The newborn breathes an average of 40 to 60 times per minute, which is up to three times greater than an adult’s rate, who breathes up to 20 times per minute.

Because they are still learning to live outside the womb independently, it is normal for babies’ breathing in the first months to be irregular, varying between rapid and deep, sometimes strong.

At times, the baby inhales more intensely, but most of the time, this is not a cause for concern. During the consultation with the pediatrician, ask questions about your baby’s health, including breathing.

If there are wheezing or moaning, and you notice that it makes a bigger effort, with the throat and rib working hard during inhalation, these are some warning signs.

Also notice if he is uncomfortable when breastfeeding, either breast or bottle feeding. When this happens, it is usually a sign that he is not able to breathe through his nose, needing to leave his mouth free frequently.

Why it is important for the baby to breathe through the nose

Breathing through the nose not only when sleeping, but throughout life is very important for the baby’s development, in addition to avoiding future problems.

Through the nose, the air is filtered, moistened and heated, helping the body to stave off infections such as tonsillitis, otitis, rhinitis and sinusitis. In addition, breathing through the mouth can casue changes in the facial expression  and posture.

Over time, the act of breathing through the mouth can impair the act of chewing, swallowing and also sucking, causing flaccidity in the muscles of the face and causing the baby to breathe even more through the mouth.

In the long run, oral breathing affects the development of the child, who cannot keep up with school play and activities, becoming tired from breathing poorly.

Therefore, take good care of the baby’s airways, keeping them clean and free of any agent that may leave them obstructed. The pediatrician can recommend sodium chloride solutions for cleaning.

 

The correct sleeping position for baby

The safest way for a baby to sleep is lying on his back, without using pillows, blankets or any object that could cause suffocation or increase body temperature.

In addition to avoiding Sudden Death Syndrome, which unfortunately is the leading cause of death in babies, leaving the cradle free prevents the baby from developing allergies, clogging the nose more often.

Try to put as few stuffed animals as possible in the crib and the room, especially if you live in more polluted big city, and always keep carpets and curtains clean, change the sheets periodically. On drier days, it is recommended to drip some saline solution in baby’s nostrils.

 

How to ensure a good night’s sleep for your baby

A warm, relaxing bath, in a heated environment can help your baby to breathe better, which will influence his sleeptime. More peaceful breathing results in a complete night’s sleep.

Schedule the bath time always before bedtime. This will make your baby understand that it is time to be calmer, since he still does not understand the difference between day and night.

Try to make your baby as comfortable as possible, including breathing well. Any discomfort will cause him to wake up or not even sleep. That way, the sleep routine will be all lost.

If you don’t know what may be hampering your baby’s sleep, don’t worry, we’re here to help. Get in touch with Sleepy Baby team and learn more about the course that has helped many moms to take better care of their babies.