Mouth breathing?
Mouth breathing? The Negative Impact On Sleep And Well-being…
As you may or may not know, at Fox And The Moon we take a holistic approach. This means working out WHY a child might be frequently waking, what are they trying to tell us? And one of the first questions we ask a client is “Are they sleeping with their mouth open?” Mouth breathing is a consistently overlooked factor when looking at sleep and wellbeing. In this blog we will explain why wer’e asking that question and how it is a crucial element to settled sleep. We want to share with you why mouth breathing in infants should be taken seriously — not just for better sleep now, but for their long-term health.
What is Mouth Breathing and Why Does It Matter?
Mouth breathing occurs when a baby breathes through their mouth instead of their nose. While occasional mouth breathing might not seem alarming, persistent mouth breathing, especially during sleep, can have far-reaching effects on a baby’s development and health.The benefits of nasal breathing are well-documented in scientific literature. Nasal breathing helps to filter and humidify the air, regulates airflow, and maintains optimal oxygen levels in the bloodstream. In contrast, mouth breathing bypasses these benefits, which can result in various physiological consequences.
The Evidence: How Mouth Breathing Affects Babies
A growing body of research supports the idea that habitual mouth breathing can cause significant issues, particularly when it starts early in life. Here are some of the key findings:
- Impaired Sleep Quality
Mouth breathing disrupts proper airflow and can contribute to poor sleep. Studies show that babies and young children who breathe through their mouths during sleep are more likely to experience disrupted breathing patterns, such as snoring or even sleep apnea. These disruptions prevent them from entering deeper, restorative stages of sleep.
- Developmental and Craniofacial Issues
Consistent mouth breathing, particularly during early childhood, can impact the growth of facial structures. Research has shown that when a child frequently breathes through their mouth, it can alter the development of their jaw, teeth, and overall facial structure. This can lead to issues like an underdeveloped upper jaw or misalignment of the teeth.
- Increased Risk of Ear and Sinus Infections
Mouth breathing bypasses the natural filtration system of the nose, which helps to trap dust, bacteria, and other particles. This can increase the likelihood of infections, particularly in the ears and sinuses. In babies and toddlers, recurrent infections can lead to chronic congestion, discomfort, and even hearing problems, all of which contribute to poor sleep quality.
- Reduced Oxygen Saturation
When a baby breathes through their mouth, the airflow tends to be less efficient, which can lead to lower levels of oxygen in the bloodstream. Nasal breathing, on the other hand, promotes deeper, more efficient oxygen exchange. Inadequate oxygen levels can contribute to overall fatigue, irritability, and restlessness, all of which affect a baby’s ability to sleep soundly.
What To Do? How Fox and the Moon Sleep Can Help
Babies who breathe through their mouths are more likely to experience fragmented sleep, which can result in increased wakefulness, difficulty settling down, and shorter sleep durations. Unfortunately, many traditional sleep training methods focus on “getting the baby to sleep” through tactics like controlled crying or setting rigid schedules. While these methods may encourage babies to fall asleep faster, they do not address the root cause of sleep disturbances, such as mouth breathing or other underlying health issues.
At Fox and the Moon Sleep, we take a holistic, evidence-based approach to infant sleep. We don’t just focus on getting your baby to sleep; we work with you to identify and address the root causes of their sleep struggles. If your baby is experiencing poor sleep and you suspect mouth breathing might be a contributing factor, we are here to help. We can work with you in identifying potential causes of mouth breathing, which can stem from issues such as nasal congestion, allergies, or improper tongue posture. By addressing these underlying causes, we can help your baby breathe properly and sleep more soundly without the need to sleep train!