This is why you should close your baby’s mouth while they are sleeping

Jody Coffey

A baby sleeping with their mouth open looks cute, but should avoided.

When we see baby sleeping with a gaping wide mouth, we may assume that it’s an indicator that they’re having a deep and sound sleep.

While this may be the case, it’s not recommended as it can lead to a host of unwanted health issues.

Mouth breathing in babies can result in enlarged tonsils and adenoids, sleep-disordered breathing and sleep apnea for a number of reasons.

That’s according to Legendairy Milk, a breastfeeding support account, that took to TikTok to explain why this is so important.

They say that if you notice that your baby ‘cannot keep their mouth closed after trying this several times, take a closer look at their oral motor skills’.

“This simple tip can make a BIG impact on your baby! Will your baby’s mouth fall open sometimes when they are sleeping? Sure, that can happen!

“When you see it, close their mouth so the tongue can lift UP and suction to the hard palate, and they breathe through their nose,” they add.

“Why is this important? A closed mouth with the tongue UP is the correct resting tongue posture for babies (and adults too!) Babies are naturally obligatory nose breathers but will breathe through their mouth if their nasal airway is compromised.”

@legendairymilk Close your baby’s mouth! 👄 This simple tip can make a BIG impact on your baby! And give you some info about their oral motor skills 👄 Will your baby’s mouth fall open sometimes when they are sleeping? Sure, that can happen! When you see it, close their mouth so the tongue can lift UP and suction to the hard palate, and they breathe through their nose. Why is this important? 1️⃣ A closed mouth with the tongue UP is the correct resting tongue posture for babies (and adults too!) 2️⃣ Babies are naturally obligatory nose breathers but will breathe through their mouth if their nasal airway is compromised. 3️⃣ When the mouth is closed, the tongue is more likely to be up. When it’s up, it PRESSES on the hard palate and all the nerves running through it. This calms and regulates baby. 4️⃣ The tongue resting up under the hard palate helps form a nice and WIDE structure- which is optimal for oral development. 5️⃣ Breaths taken through the nose are FILTERED, whereas breaths taken through the mouth are not. Mouth breathing can lead to enlarged tonsils and adenoids, sleep disordered breathing and sleep apnea. If you notice that baby cannot keep their mouth closed after trying this several times, take a closer look at their oral motor skills. ⚠️ Mouth breathing CONSISTENTLY at rest or while sleeping is NOT typical, and is usually accompanied by other oral motor difficulties including feeding. If you notice CONSISTENT mouth breathing, snoring, trouble latching for breastfeeding, trouble bottle feeding, excessive drooling, or a low and forward tongue position at rest, an evaluation by an IBCLC who has advanced education and experience in oral function and assessment is recommended. 📌 SAVE and SHARE with other parents and follow us for more content! #babydevelopment #breastfeeding #parentingtips #legendairymilk #mouthbreathing #sleepybaby #breastfeedingjourney #tonguetie ♬ love triangles – Happy Trees

The also stress that when their mouth is closed, the tongue is more likely to be up and pressing on the hard palate with the nerves running through it.

This, in turn, helps to regulate your baby.

Ensuring your baby’s mouth is closed during their sleep is also important when it comes to oral development.

“Breaths taken through the nose are FILTERED, whereas breaths taken through the mouth are not. Mouth breathing can lead to enlarged tonsils and adenoids, sleep disordered breathing and sleep apnea.

“If you notice that baby cannot keep their mouth closed after trying this several times, take a closer look at their oral motor skills,” they urge.

Legendairy Milk stress that consistent mouth breathing at rest or while sleeping is not typical, and is usually accompanied by other oral motor difficulties including feeding.

They advise any parent who has a baby that is consistently mouth breathing, snoring, trouble latching for breastfeeding, trouble bottle feeding, excessive drooling, or a low and forward tongue position at rest, to seek an evaluation by the Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLC).