Breathing Tips for Families
One of the most important ways to help your children’s overall health is to be sure they are nose breathing! Mouth breathing/open mouth posture comes with many health and growth problems. Nose breathing begins at birth, continues with breastfeeding and should be comfortable and normal for all children and adults morning, noon and night!
If you or your children have any of these issues, it may be because of mouth breathing and/or having an open-mouth posture: breathlessness, gets tired easily, back or neck pain, bad breath, dry mouth, waking up during the night, night terrors, bad sleep, dark circles under eyes, mouth open during chewing, forced swallowing, saggy lips, waking up to go to the bathroom at night, daytime sleepiness, cavities, gums that bleed easily, poor posture, clenching and grinding teeth, head arched back during sleep, and snoring.
WHY MOUTH BREATHING IS AN ISSUE:
Mouth breathing prevents the upper and lower jaw from growing forward.
Mouth breathing creates a narrow palate (roof of mouth) which narrows the nasal passages and prevents the adult teeth from fitting into the jaw.
Mouth breathing prevents the cheek bones from developing and creates a long thin face.
Mouth breathing when sleeping prevents proper release of growth hormone and healing deep sleep.
Mouth breathing as a toddler into childhood will most likely result in sleep apnea and/or obstructive sleep disorder.
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Encourage breastfeeding and baby-led weaning. Starting baby with solid foods rather than baby food.
Meal time should be relaxed and provide family time. Slow down and chew, chew, chew! If you are talking when chewing or having to drink water while eating, you are eating too fast. Keep lips sealed while chewing and swallow when food has become almost liquid.
Closed Lip-Posture. After nursing your baby, gently close your baby’s lips by gently pressing chin up and hold until a few seconds to ensure a good lip seal. Watch your children to be sure their lips are sealed at rest and they are nose breathing. Head up and shoulders back to keep the back and spine aligned for best growth.
Carrying your baby in a sling close to your body is more beneficial for development than carrying them in a car seat- reduce “Bucket Baby Syndrome”.
Check in on your baby’s, toddler’s, child’s, teen’s sleeping pattern. If you see their mouth’s are open, gently press the chin up so the lips seal and hold for a few seconds.
You can contact us for a breathing, lip and tongue assessment!