When new parents observe their baby’s breathing, questions often arise. While it might seem intuitive for a baby to breathe through their mouth, nasal breathing is the primary and most efficient method for infants. Understanding typical breathing patterns helps parents recognize temporary behaviors or underlying concerns.
Nasal Breathing in Infants
Newborns are obligate nasal breathers, primarily breathing through their nose for the first 3 to 6 months. This is due to specific anatomical features. Infants have a relatively large tongue and a high larynx, allowing the epiglottis to nearly touch the soft palate. This creates a direct airway from the nose to the lungs, facilitating simultaneous breathing and feeding, a crucial ability for their nourishment and growth.
Beyond feeding, nasal breathing offers several benefits. Nasal passages filter dust, allergens, and particles before they reach the delicate respiratory system. They also warm and humidify the air, making it gentler on the lungs and helping to regulate body temperature. Consistent nasal breathing supports proper facial structure development, including the jaw and palate, and promotes good tongue posture, which can influence long-term dental health and speech development.
Reasons for Mouth Breathing
Infants may breathe through their mouths due to temporary conditions or underlying issues, not a specific developmental age. Nasal congestion is a common cause, often from colds, allergies, or infections. Even a small amount of mucus can significantly obstruct an infant’s narrow nasal passages, forcing them to breathe orally. While babies develop the reflex to mouth breathe around 3 to 4 months of age, consistent mouth breathing is generally a sign of difficulty.
Less common but more significant reasons include enlarged adenoids or tonsils, which can partially block the upper airway. These lymphatic tissues are part of the immune system and can swell due to infection or allergies, sometimes remaining enlarged even after an illness subsides. Structural abnormalities, such as a deviated septum (misaligned nasal cartilage) or a tongue-tie (restricted tongue movement), can also compel an infant to breathe through their mouth. Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use might also influence jaw development, contributing to mouth breathing.
Potential Concerns and When to Act
Chronic mouth breathing can have several implications, affecting immediate comfort and long-term development. In the short term, it can lead to feeding difficulties by disrupting the coordinated process of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. It may also cause disturbed sleep, dry mouth, bad breath, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections due to bypassing the nose’s filtering function.
Over time, persistent mouth breathing can influence facial and jaw development, potentially leading to a narrower palate, crowded teeth, and altered facial features. It can also contribute to sleep-disordered breathing, including sleep apnea, which may manifest as snoring, restless sleep, or breathing pauses during sleep. Parents should seek medical advice for persistent mouth breathing, especially if accompanied by noisy breathing, feeding difficulty, or signs of respiratory distress like flaring nostrils, visible chest retractions, or a bluish tint around the lips or skin. Early consultation allows for identification and management of underlying conditions.