Published on April 9th, 2022 Show
Check out SneakPeek Traits Test to find out what your baby will look like as an adult! Whether it’s “I love you mama” coos, “I’m hungry” cries, or “Let’s play” chuckles, when your precious baby opens her mouth to talk, you can usually tell what she’s trying to say. But what does it mean when she sleeps with her mouth open—and breathes through the mouth rather than the nose? Is mouth breathing during baby sleep unhealthy or a sign of something to be concerned about? While not exactly healthy, continual mouth breathing in babies is almost always treatable. This habit typically signals an underlying condition that prohibits nasal breathing, like allergies or a deviated septum. With the right help, you can address the underlying issue and help your little one breathe a la nose. Curious to learn more? Keep reading for our inclusive guide to nighttime mouth breathing. On the other hand, if you’re wondering “what does it mean if my baby sleeps with her eyes open?” or “what does it mean if my baby twitches in her sleep?” we’ve written about these topics in detail as well on our blog! Mouth Breathing 101: Signs & SymptomsYou’d think that mouth breathing would be easy to catch. However, this nighttime habit is surprisingly sneaky—especially in babies. How do you know if your little guy has picked up the habit in his sleep? Unless you’re standing over his crib all night, it can be hard to tell. Luckily, there are a few symptoms that indicate a possible mouth breathing habit while sleeping,1 such as:
If you suspect that your baby sleeps with an open mouth, take a few nights to observe him. Even if his lips are only slightly parted, this still counts as open-mouth breathing and is something to note. Why would my baby mouth breathe at night?Before you assume the worst, just know it’s normal for babies to experience periods of mouth breathing. Only when mouth breathing becomes habitual (meaning your baby is mouth breathing every time he sleeps) do you have to worry for your little one. Most culprits behind mouth breathing either block the nasal passage or make mouth breathing more comfortable. You can break down these causes into three categories:
Mucus ObstructionsWhen investigating mouth breathing, the first place to look is your baby’s nose. A nasal mucus blockage of any kind will encourage your baby to mouth breathe. At night, lying horizontally can amplify these blockage effects. Consider these common and treatable underlying mucus creators:
Airway BlockagesIt’s easy to dismiss breathing as “simple.” However, this critical action is actually pretty complex! From her lungs to her tongue, there are plenty of ways that your child’s breathing can become obstructed. If you notice mouth breathing but there’s no mucus in sight, check for these possible upper airway blockages that could lead to an open mouth at night:
Habitual CausesYour baby’s little body is just starting to figure itself out. Sometimes, odd or unusual habits—like mouth breathing—are part of that journey! If you find zero blockages behind your baby’s mouth breathing, then it just might be habitual. Genetic, behavioral, and environmental conditions can encourage your baby to sleep open-mouthed, including:6,7,
One particular habit to watch out for? Tongue thrusting. Also known as open bite, tongue thrusting leaves your baby’s tongue pressed forward in his mouth.8 While normal for newborn babies, it should resolve into an adult tongue posture later. Thumb-sucking and delayed chewing can prolong tongue thrusting, creating an open mouth breathing habit.9 A lack of breastfeeding, or ceasing breastfeeding before 3 months, can also prolong tongue thrusting. This is because breastfeeding promotes nose breathing better than bottle feeding since your baby’s mouth and tongue muscles have to work harder during breastfeeding. However, if you are bottle feeding, you can prevent prolonged tongue thrusting by choosing a slow-flow bottle. Is it dangerous for my baby to mouth breathe?Everyone occasionally breathes through their mouths. However, you don’t want it to become a habit—especially for your baby. If you notice drool stains on her pillow every night, then your girl might face some medical risks. From head to toe, let’s review the dangers of mouth breathing for your precious sleeper. Oral IssuesTurns out, the nose is a pretty effective air filter! Cilia, or your baby’s tiny nose hairs, block bacteria and particles from entering your baby’s lungs, keeping them safe and healthy. While the mouth can also handle that task, it’s not too great at long-term filtering. This means, over time, more bacteria will enter your baby’s lungs during sleep. Not to mention, more bacteria will build up inside your baby’s mouth during sleep. Excess bacteria in the mouth can lead to unhealthy oral conditions like:
Long Face Syndrome & Growth AbnormalitiesThere’s nothing sweeter than your baby’s adorable face. Unfortunately, chronic mouth breathing can change and weaken her unique facial structure. Continual mouth breathing stretches the face’s muscles and ligaments over time. This can eventually lead to a developmental condition called Long Face Syndrome,10 with symptoms like:
Reduced Oxygen IntakeA major difference between nasal and mouth breathing? Oxygen saturation. Compared to nasal breathing, mouth breathing has a lower airstream intake and lower nitric acid levels, which help your body absorb oxygen.11 As a result, mouth breathers have lower oxygen saturation than nasal breathers.12 Over time, this can lead to oxygen-related issues like:13
How can I treat mouth breathing in my baby?Before researching mouth breathing remedies, first ask—what’s causing my baby to sleep with his mouth open? From stuffy colds to nasal polyps, every mouth breathing culprit requires its own form of treatment. Once you identify the root of the problem, you can choose the best mouth breathing therapy to help him snooze. Treatments for Mucus-Related IssuesWhen it comes to nasal mucus, your best friend is water. All forms of hydration—drinking, steaming, spritzing—help break up this air-blocking substance. Luckily, mucus-related mouth breathing is easy to treat with home remedies like:
Suspect an allergy is behind those constant sniffles? Proceed with caution. While medications may clear up a stuffy nose from allergies, consult your pediatrician before giving allergy medicine to your baby. Treatments for Airway Obstructions or HabitsNot dealing with the mucus monster? Unfortunately, this means the culprit will be slightly trickier to handle. For airway obstructions or behavioral habits, many babies will need the next step in treatment to cure their mouth breathing. These solutions include:
Get Sweet Dreams of Your Baby’s Future with SneakPeekBefore you Google “baby sleeps with mouth open bad???”, take a deep breath (mouth open optional). No matter the cause, mouth breathing can be treated. With our guide, you can find the safest and most effective treatment path for your precious bundle. As you watch your little girl catch dreams, you might wonder what else lies in store for her. Will she get Mom’s night owl habits? Dad’s height? Blue or brown eyes? Luckily, SneakPeek can give you a look into the future—right from the comfort of your own home. With our scientifically-proven genetic mapping, the SneakPeek Infant & Toddler DNA Traits Test can predict your child’s critical sleeping traits, such as:
Even better? Our comprehensive test predicts 22 other fascinating genetic traits, from her future hair color to her likelihood of nutritional deficiencies. All it takes is a swab of your infant’s inner cheek and you can receive DNA-based insights and personalized advice. Plus, with our privacy protection policy, your data and results are kept safe, giving you additional peace of mind. Check out SneakPeek today to learn more. Sources:
 Should I worry if baby sleeps with mouth open?It is not normal for a child to sleep with their mouth open!
We encourage parents to seek treatment of airway obstruction as soon as possible, before it leads to a lifetime of bad breathing habits and permanent incorrect skeletal development.
Why does my 2 week old sleep with mouth open?Studies show that mouth breathing while the baby sleeps may be due to some blockage in the upper airway, including the throat and nose. The blockage could be due to a stuffy nose, an allergic reaction, or a more complex condition, resulting in mouth breathing.
Is it OK for newborn to breathe through mouth?Babies are "obligate nose breathers", meaning that they can only breathe through their noses; the only time newborns breathe through their mouths is when they are crying.
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Newborn sleeping with mouth open NHS
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