A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Managing Baby Tongue Chewing- Lilamigosnest
Your baby might be into tongue chewing which might amuse you as a parent. They might like to chew on their tongue because that is something new for them to do so.
Tongue chewing among babies is actually pretty common and not something to usually worry about.
Do read on to find out the common reasons as to why they do so, what you can do in this case and when can this habit become concerning.
Here are some common reasons as to why babies chew on their tongues: -
1- They are discovering various parts of their body and exploring how to use them and when to use them. They move their tongue to explore how it feels and to chew.
2- Sometimes babies might express how hungry they are by crying or chewing on their tongues.
3- Chewing on their tongue can also be sort of a sucking reflex for the babies.
4- It’s extremely uncomfortable for babies when they are teething. They can chew on their tongue to relive their pain and discomfort.
5- They may also chew on their tongues if they are trying to form new words and repeat what you are saying.
Now that we know some of the reasons, let’s discuss on how you can deal with your baby chewing on their tongue:
1- Look for signs when your baby gets hungry so you can start feeding them and they won’t feel the need to chew on their tongues anymore. Have a fixed eating schedule for your baby so they eat at the same time every day.
2- You can also get them started on solid food after six months. You can start with semi-solid food that are easier for them to chew and swallow.
3- You can also buy them some teething toys so they don’t feel so uncomfortable and irritated.
If you want to buy some teething toys for your baby to chew on instead then do visit Lilamigos Nest.
4- If they still continue to chew on their tongue even when they are not hungry then try to distract them by bringing a colourful book or a musical toy so their attention is elsewhere now.
When can tongue chewing become a concern?
Tongue chewing is relatively harmless but it can slowly turn into a concern when:
1- It becomes painful for the baby and start crying. Distract them with chew toys but if they again start chewing them consult a doctor.
2- Sometimes it can affect their breathing while they are chewing on their tongue which is a sign for you to consult your doctor immediately.
3- If your baby continues to chew on their tongue even after 12 months than that’s concerning as well.
4- It can also happen due to incorrect oral development or a genetic condition that leads to an abnormally large tongue.
Conclusion
Your baby might be chewing on their tongue just to experiment and explore so don’t discourage them from doing so.
Exploration of their body is how they learn more about themselves and about the world around them.
For more such blogs please visit our site Lilamigos Nest Kids One Stop Shop - https://lilamigosnest.com/
