Baby sleeping with tongue out

When taking care of their babies, many parents will find that their children have the problem of sticking out their tongues when sleeping. In fact, there is no need to worry too much about children sticking out their tongues, because this is a relatively normal physical reaction. When a baby sticks out his tongue, it means that the baby is healthy and is exploring the world. However, in some special circumstances, if the baby sticks out his tongue, it needs to be dealt with promptly!

1. When did you start to stick out your tongue?

Newborn babies rarely stick out their tongues. Generally speaking, babies start sticking out their tongues around 3 or 4 months after birth. Some babies start doing it even earlier, at around 2 months old. In fact, for babies at this age, sticking out the tongue is just like playing with toys. As the objects of their interest gradually increase and shift, they will not play the game so frequently.

2. Reasons why babies stick out their tongues

1. Indicates that the baby is healthy

If the baby's tongue tie is too short, it cannot extend beyond the lips and will have a lisp when speaking in the future. Therefore, when you see your baby sticking out his tongue at you frequently, it means that in addition to his ability to explore the world with his tongue, his tongue is also developing very quickly and healthily.

2. Natural stages of physiological development

The baby's salivary glands will begin to secrete saliva two months after birth. At this time, the baby will lick with the tongue, and then will stick out the tongue. So mothers don’t need to worry too much, sticking out the tongue is a normal phenomenon before the age of one.

3. It is the baby's way to explore the world

After the baby is born, the order of body movement development is from beginning to end. At the beginning, he uses his mouth to bite, his tongue to lick, etc. to touch and understand the world. Therefore, babies will suck from the moment they are born and will put things in their mouths at any time, especially their own fingers. Sucking and licking, it's like exploring the world.

3. Under what circumstances should we be alert when a baby sticks out his tongue?

If your baby still sticks out his tongue frequently after he is one year old, it may be a sign of zinc deficiency.

If the baby sticks out his tongue frequently when he is 2-3 years old, it is possible that he learned it from his parents. Parents should first review whether they often stick out their tongue in front of their baby.

If the baby still cannot control and keeps sticking out his tongue after the age of three, parents should pay attention, as this may be a precursor to tics in the child. Tics are generally divided into two types based on clinical manifestations: motor tics and vocal tics.

It is normal for babies to stick out their tongue before the age of 3, so don't worry too much. If a child still often sticks out his tongue after the age of three, parents should pay attention and help the child correct it and not develop this habit.