Why is my baby drooling?

Drooling is a relatively normal thing for babies nowadays. Newborn babies only eat breast milk and formula, so the stimulation of saliva is not great, resulting in less saliva secretion, but saliva will still flow out. After four months, because they need to accept complementary foods, more saliva will also come out at this time. It is good for babies to drool. Let's take a look at these benefits.

What is the reason for baby drooling?

Drooling is normal for babies. Newborn babies only eat breast milk or formula, and these foods do not stimulate the salivary glands much, so the baby secretes very little saliva, and generally very little saliva flows out of the baby at this time.

However, after 4 months, eating starch-containing complementary foods such as rice cereal stimulates the secretion of salivary amylase. In addition, some babies like to suck their fingers at this time, which further aggravates the secretion of salivary glands. The baby's mouth is small and shallow, and the swallowing function is not perfect. They cannot swallow the saliva that flows out, so the saliva overflows the dam. At the same time, teething will stimulate the secretion of salivary glands, leading to increased saliva. Once the baby learns to swallow, the saliva will naturally decrease.

Is it good or bad for your baby to drool?

benefit

1. Lubrication

When the baby's teeth first grow, the gum tissue will inevitably be swollen and painful, and the tips of the teeth are relatively delicate. At this time, the baby's saliva can act as a lubricant and prevent the occurrence of inflammation around the teeth.

2. Cleaning effect

The saliva that flows from the baby can keep the mouth moist and clean, and can also clean the baby's newly grown teeth to prevent the formation of tooth decay.

3. Promotion

Saliva can promote the development of baby's taste buds, thereby increasing baby's appetite; it can also promote the activity of lips and tongue, so that baby can speak as soon as possible; it can also promote the maturity and perfection of swallowing movements.

harm

1. Not likable

If your baby drools frequently, not only will his face become dirty, but his clothes will also become dirty, and he will be wet all over, which is unpleasant to the eye.

2. Skin damage

Since saliva is acidic and contains some corrosive digestive enzymes, and the baby's skin is relatively tender, once saliva flows out and contacts the baby's mouth corners, cheeks and other parts, symptoms such as redness will appear over time.