Why Is My Newborn Sticking Tongue Out? – 10 Fascinating Reasons

WHY IS MY NEWBORN STICKING TONGUE OUT – As a parent, you may be curious about your child’s behavior and habits. “Why do babies stick their tongues out?” you may wonder.

Babies experience the world for the first time through their mouths. They frequently mouth things and stick out their tongues, both as part of their feeding instinct and as a means of exploring the new world around them.

Babies may stick their tongues out for a number of reasons. Additionally, if your baby is still unable to communicate verbally, tongue sticking may be a way for him or her to connect with you. You must be able to read your baby’s body language as a parent in order to determine what they need or want during the period when they are unable to communicate.

Why Is My Newborn Sticking Tongue Out

Babies Under The Age Of Six Months

Natural reflexes, hunger, and genetic differences are the most common reasons for babies under 6 months of age to stick out their tongue.

Tongue Thrust Reflex

When something touches a baby’s lips, the tongue thrust reflex causes it to automatically extend its tongue. When an adult offers milk from the breast or a bottle, this reflex makes it easier for young babies to eat.

The tongue thrust reflex usually lasts up until the baby is 4 to 6 months old. A parent or caregiver should not give their baby solid foods until this reflex has gone away. Most babies, however, will not require solid foods until they are 6 months old.

Hunger

When babies are hungry, they regularly stick out their tongues. Parents and caregivers may notice the baby looking for food as well. The baby may turn its head in one direction, open its mouth, and then turn its head in the opposite direction.

Genetic Differences

Congenital conditions are those that exist from birth. Certain congenital conditions can result in babies having larger tongues than usual. This may cause the tongue to protrude from the mouth.

Macroglossia can be caused by genetic conditions, as well as abnormal blood vessels or muscle development in the tongue. It can also be caused by medical conditions like hypothyroidism or tumors.

Macroglossia can be one of the symptoms of syndromes like Down syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Babies with Down syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome may have a tongue that protrudes from the mouth the majority of the time, as well as other signs and symptoms.

If your baby’s tongue does not appear to fit into their mouth, or if you notice other issues, such as excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, poor muscle tone, or difficulty feeding, contact your child’s pediatrician.

Babies Over The Age Of Six Months

Babies develop some communication skills around 6 months of age, which means they may intentionally stick out their tongues.

A baby may stick out his or her tongue to imitate an older child or adult, to elicit a response from a parent or caregiver, or to indicate hunger.

Imitation

Around 8 months of age, most babies begin imitating simple adult behaviors. Premature babies and those with developmental delays, on the other hand, may begin imitating later.

A baby’s tongue may be stuck out to imitate an older child or adult or behaviors such as talking or kissing.

Trying To Obtain A Reaction

Babies crave attention and are constantly learning about the relationships they encounter. A baby may stick out its tongue to see how a particular person reacts to it.

If an adult laughs when the baby sticks out its tongue, the baby may do it more frequently.

Some babies, however, may continue to stick out their tongues even if an adult is displeased because they are curious about adult behavior.

Hunger

Some babies discover that sticking out their tongues results in food. They may continue to do so even if they are able to signal hunger in other ways.

Sticking out the tongue after feeding

There are several reasons a baby may stick their tongue after feeding. A parent or caregiver may need to consider other aspects of the baby’s body language to determine the cause.

The following are some of the reasons why a baby may stick its tongue out after feeding.

Indicating Fullness

When a baby is full, he or she may turn away from the food or refuse to eat more. Some babies use their tongues to push food out of their mouths.

Indicating Hunger

Even if a baby has just eaten, there are times when they may still be hungry. This can occur during breastfeeding if the person nursing is not producing enough milk or if the baby is not receiving enough food to eat.

Dislike For Food

When they dislike a new food, some babies stick out their tongues. It is normal for babies who are experimenting with solid foods to reject new foods.

A baby should never be forced to eat by a parent.  Instead, people should continue to introduce a variety of healthy foods. Many babies must try a food several times before they enjoy it.

Other Reason Why Your Baby May Stick His/Her Tongue Out Are;

They Have A Small Mouth.

A baby’s mouth may be smaller than average due to a variety of syndromes or conditions. Babies with small mouths are sometimes genetically predisposed.

Micrognathia, also known as a small jaw, is one such condition. Micrognathia can be hereditary or the result of a syndrome or condition such as cleft lip or palate, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Pierre Robin syndrome, and others.

Down syndrome children may exhibit a variety of symptoms, including smaller-than-average mouths, short stature, distinct facial features, and decreased muscle tone.

Babies with DiGeorge syndrome may have small mouths as a result of changes in the shape of the palate. Other symptoms of DiGeorge syndrome include heart defects and developmental delays.

They Have Poor Muscle Tone.

Some babies have low muscle tone. Because the tongue is a muscle that is controlled by other muscles in the mouth, low muscle tone can cause the tongue to protrude more than usual.

Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, and cerebral palsy are all conditions that can cause decreased muscle tone.

A Swollen Gland In The Mouth

A mass or swollen gland in a baby’s mouth can occasionally cause the tongue to protrude.

This could be a rare case of oral cancer. They are more likely to have an infection that causes a salivary gland cyst.

Call your child’s doctor if your baby seems to stick out their tongue more than usual, drools excessively, is fussy or refuses to eat, or you can feel or see a bump in their mouth.

• Your baby breathes through the mouth

Babies breathe primarily through their noses. If your baby has nasal congestion, large tonsils or adenoids, or both, they may prefer to breathe through their mouth. This can cause the tongue to stick out

If your baby appears to be having difficulty breathing, flaring nostrils, wheezing, or other unusual breathing sounds, contact your baby’s doctor right away. If you have any other ongoing concerns about your baby’s breathing or amount of congestion, contact his or her doctor for assistance.

If your child’s tonsils or adenoids are obstructing his or her breathing or feeding, they may need to be surgically removed.

• Gas

When babies are experiencing gas pains or passing gas, they may stick their tongues out. Gas is a normal part of digestion for all babies. Some babies will cry, grimace, stick out their tongue, or even smile in response to the sensation.

• They aren’t ready for solid food yet.

Breast-Milk Or Infant Formula Provides The Majority Of A Baby’s Nutrition During The First Year Of Life.

Around 6 months of age, the CDC Trusted Source and most pediatricians recommend beginning solid foods with pureed baby food or cereal.

The amount of solid food a baby eats gradually increases until the age of one year, when solid foods provide the majority of their nutrients rather than milk alone.

Some babies respond quickly to solids, while others dislike the taste or texture and may take longer to adjust. If a baby is not yet ready for solid foods, he or she may stick their tongue out to push the food away or get it out of their mouths.

•  Your baby may have an oral infection.

Oral infections are common in babies because they are prone to various infections, especially if they put things in their mouths. Furthermore, oral infections can be painful, causing babies to cry after eating and stick their tongues out to keep their tongues away from the painful infection.

WHEN SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR NEWBORN STICKING OUT YOUR TONGUE

A baby sticking out his or her tongue does not usually indicate that there is a problem.

Some neurologically different children, on the other hand, may stick out their tongues in situations where other babies would not.

If the baby frequently sticks out their tongue for no apparent reason and exhibits other developmental differences, the parent should consider taking the baby to a pediatrician.

Any change in a baby’s behavior may also indicate a problem.

A baby who is constantly hungry after nursing, for example, may not be getting enough breastmilk or formula. Alternatively, the baby could be having difficulty absorbing nutrients from their food.

Behavioral changes that occur as a result of a head injury or other trauma.. A baby who experiences trauma of any kind should receive immediate medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Baby Sticking His Or Her Tongue Out A Sign Of Teething?

Tongue thrust can occur when a baby is teething, but it is not a definitive sign of teething. This happens when the baby’s mouth becomes irritated. Other signs of teething include swollen gums, red gums, excessive drooling, babies putting things in their mouths, and an irritable disposition.

Is My Baby Sticking Out His or Her Tongue A Sign Of Autism?

A baby sticking out his or her tongue is not conclusive evidence of autism spectrum disorder. However, it is seen in babies with autism along with a variety of other symptoms. If you have any concerns about the link between autism and your baby’s tongue-thrusting habit, consult your baby’s pediatrician.

What Can You Do To Help With Tongue Protrusion? (Sticking Tongue Out)

Solutions to tongue protrusion have not been conclusive just yet. Some of the above can be corrected with surgery, such as taking out the tonsils and adenoids, extracting the jaw for Pierre Robin, and removing cysts.

It is best  not to tap or flick the tongue to encourage it to go back in the mouth . New moms are told to encourage babies to drink from a straw and make sounds that cause you to close your mouth, such as “ba” and “ma.”

When Should You See A Doctor?

Parents or caregivers will have regular appointments with a pediatrician during the first year of a baby’s life. These appointments can be used to discuss behavioral changes and inquire about signs of normal infant development.

On occasion, a parent or caregiver may need to seek medical advice outside of a scheduled appointment. Always contact a doctor if your baby exhibits any of the following symptoms:

constant signs of hunger, especially if they are breastfeeding and their parents or caregivers are unaware of how much they are eating sticking the tongue out in addition to trouble swallowing or feeding behavior changes with no clear cause signs of physical discomfort

If a baby is crying significantly during or following an injury, fever, or illness.

, the person should go to the emergency room.

In Conclusion,

A baby sticking out his or her tongue is usually not a problem and is one of the many adorable things babies do. It is a latching reflex and a normal signal to seek food; the habit fades as the baby grows. This behavior could also indicate that they are not yet ready to transition to semi-solid food or that they are having difficulty breathing through their nose due to nasal congestion. Keep track of the baby’s tongue action and keep an eye out for any other signs or symptoms. If you are concerned about your baby’s tongue-thrusting habit, see a pediatrician.

Sticking out the tongue for your baby is not always a cause for concern because it is frequently caused by infant reflexes. The tongue-thrust reflex aids the infant in sucking and latching on to the nipple. By the age of five to seven months, most babies have outgrown these reflexes. Remember to consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby sticking out their tongue.