Your child might be sleeping with her tongue out for several reasons, many of which are perfectly normal, especially in younger children.
Possible Reasons for Tongue Protrusion During Sleep
Here's a breakdown of why your child might be sticking their tongue out while sleeping:
- Lingering Tongue-Thrust Reflex: Babies are born with a tongue-thrust reflex. This helps them latch and feed from a breast or bottle. This reflex typically disappears between 4 and 6 months of age. However, some children continue the behavior out of habit. The reference states this explicitly.
- Habit or Sensory Exploration: Your child may simply be exploring how it feels or have developed it as a habit. They might find the sensation interesting or amusing.
- Mouth Breathing: If your child's nasal passages are blocked due to a cold, allergies, or enlarged adenoids, they may breathe through their mouth. This makes it more likely for the tongue to protrude.
- Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids: Enlarged tonsils or adenoids can obstruct the airway and push the tongue forward.
- Hypotonia (Low Muscle Tone): In some cases, low muscle tone in the tongue can cause it to relax and protrude during sleep.
- Teething: Teething can cause increased salivation and exploration of the mouth, sometimes leading to the tongue sticking out.
What to Do
Most of the time, a child sleeping with their tongue out is not a cause for concern. However, consider the following:
- Observe Other Symptoms: Pay attention to other symptoms like snoring, mouth breathing, difficulty breathing, or frequent waking.
- Consult a Doctor: If you have concerns, especially if your child exhibits difficulty breathing or other unusual symptoms, consult with your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. They can rule out any underlying medical conditions.
- Allergies: Consider possible allergies which could cause nasal congestion.
