Does mouth breathing affect my child’s sleep?

Does mouth breathing affect my child’s sleep?

If your child has trouble sleeping, or wakes up during the night it could be that you have a mouth breather on your hands. As a baby sleep coach, I see how common mouth breathing is in young children and how this could be the reason your child is not sleeping through the night, so read on to see Mouth Breathing could be affecting your child or baby’s sleep.

mouth breathing baby sleeping

Why might my child breathe through their nose?

For the first few months of their lives, newborn babies breathe pretty much exclusively through their nose unless there’s a reason they can’t such as having a blockage in their nasal passage, usually because your little one has a cold.  In a bid to keep taking in oxygen, they will use their mouth to breathe because their nose is not up to the job.  A more long-term reason for nasal congestion could be allergies that hinder a child’s airway and forces them to use their mouth to breathe.  Because symptoms from allergies are over a longer period of time, this is more likely to encourage new (and bad) habits of resorting to breathing through the mouth even after the airway is cleared.

asian girl sleeping in the bed

Why is it a problem if my child breathes through their mouth?

When it comes to mouth breathing, there are several factors that make it something to avoid.  Both doctors and dentists suggest many side effects of mouth breathing that can cause your child discomfort and even lead to more long-term problems developing.  In young children, breathing solely through the mouth can cause dry mouth and contribute to crooked teeth.  It can lead to physical abnormalities if left to continue over a longer period of time and it can also cause dental problems as well contributing to a disrupted sleeping pattern. 

baby sleeping on the side in their cot

Are there any benefits to breathing through your nose?

Breathing through the nose is a more efficient way of using oxygen, which in turn leads to producing Nitric oxide which aids your immune system in tackling infections.  The mucus and tiny hairs in your nose also help to filter out unwanted small particles such as germs, dust or pollen and stop them from entering your lungs.  Breathing in a more efficient breath full of oxygen also helps improve brain functions and blood flow around our bodies. It helps us breathe into our lungs, air that is full of moisture as well as helping to warm the air before it gets there.  Plus it is usually quieter for the parents listening on the baby monitor!

child sleeping with mouth open mouth breathing or snoring

How do I know if my child is a mouth breather?

Young children may not be able to tell you that they have symptoms like an adult would, as they may not be able to explain what is happening to them.  There are, however, some symptoms you can look for in children which include: slower than normal growth; irritability or crying episodes during the night; dry mouth or lips; trouble concentrating for a length of time and being sleepy throughout the day.

Why is mouth breathing causing my child to have a restless night?

Mouth breathing, rather than nose breathing, can lead to your child experiencing interrupted or reduced breathing. This means their body will react to that by restarting their breathing, potentially with a snort or gasp that will in turn wake your child up.  Less oxygen to the brain also means their brains won’t get enough rest so will be more tired throughout the day.  It also means they may want to nap or go to bed early which again means good sleeping patterns are disrupted. Because of some of these factors, children have in the past been wrongly diagnosed with ADHD (research shows) due to their sharing of symptoms such as restlessness or a lack of concentration when in fact it is a much more simple case of sleep deprivation. 

toddler sleeping with mouth open mouth breathing

How can I help my child breathe through their nose?

If your child is breathing through their mouth because of an obvious problem such as an illness blocking their nose, then you can treat that in the same ways you would normally, such as by using a nasal spray or appropriate medication to ease the congestion.  If the problem is to do with allergies, then things to keep the air clear like a dehumidifier will help alleviate a blocked nose.  

If your child is no longer ill and is still breathing through their mouth, then it might be advisable to get them checked out by your GP just to check if they have enlarged tonsils or adenoids (which are patches of tissue in the throat).
You can actively encourage children who are able to understand to do breathing exercises so they can become more aware of their nose breathing.  This can help instil good breathing habits that will eventually become natural to them so that they can hopefully continue this through the night. 
Lastly creating a calm and relaxing environment free of stress and maybe adding in some yoga and deep breathing into the calming down bedtime routine to also help to reinforce this. 

Cute snorts and adorable sleeping babies aside, nothing is more important than our baby’s health and by treating the little sniffles as soon as possible, it can be so beneficial to their health now and in the future as well as making sure that your child (as well as the parents) get a much coveted good night’s sleep.

If your child is waking up too early in the morning to start their day, there may be other factors at work! Take a look at our Early Rising Sleep Guide to help your little one sleep until a reasonable wake-up time.

 

HOLISTIC BABY SLEEP COACH

 

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.


For more advice on how to help your baby sleep and find a baby sleep solution that works for you and your family, you can check out our
 1 : 1 consultation services or our new baby sleep guides which come with free access to my Sleepy Village Facebook community for easy access to get your questions answered.

Safer Sleep For Babies, Advice And Guidance.

Safer Sleep For Babies, Advice And Guidance.

Safer Sleep For 0 To 6 Months Olds

It’s important to spend some time considering how to implement safer sleeping strategies for your new-born.  The decisions we make about where and how we place our babies to sleep can impact their health and safety.  Some common practices of the past are no longer considered to be the safest way to support your baby to sleep.  The advice listed here is from the evidence-informed information provided by the Lullaby Trust:  a leading UK Charity who aim to reduce the number of SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome) deaths by providing safer sleep advice.  

safe babys room temperature

Temperature

  • It is important to make sure that your baby is at a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot.

  • A room temperature of 16-20°C – with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag– is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.

  • It can be difficult to judge the temperature in the room, so use a room thermometer in the rooms where your baby sleeps.

  • Regularly feel your baby’s chest or the back of their neck (your baby’s hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal). If your baby’s skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes or bedding.

  • Babies who are unwell need fewer, not more bedclothes.

  • Babies do not need to wear hats indoors, nor sleep under a duvet or quilt.

  • We recommend using sleeping bags once baby is over 9lbs but please ensure you check the tog rating for the temperature of the room.

  • Swaddling is a great comfort for baby’s, especially newborns, but please bear in mind the swaddling dos and don’ts.

    baby sleeping holding hands with mum

    Sleep Location For 0 – 6 Month-Old Babies

    • The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the same room with you for the first six months.

    • Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months, even during the day.

    • Some parents choose to co-sleep with their baby. See the advice listed below specifically for safer co-sleeping.

    • Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby. Sleeping on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby is one of the most high-risk situations for them.

    • The chance of SIDS is lower when babies sleep in a separate cot in the same room as their parents

    Sleep Position for babies

    • You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side.

    • Sleeping your baby on their back (known as the supine position) every night is one of the most protective actions you can take to ensure your baby is sleeping as safely as possible.

    • There is substantial evidence from around the world to show that sleeping your baby on their back at the beginning of every sleep or nap (day and night) significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

    • You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side (unless your doctor has advised you of a medical reason to do so)

    • Sleeping a baby on their front or side greatly increases the chance of SIDS

    • It is important that you always put your baby on their back as part of their regular sleep routine – the chance of SIDS is particularly high for babies who are sometimes placed on their front or side

    • Once your baby can move themselves from their back to their front and back again by themselves, they will be able to find their own sleeping position.

    • The first few times they roll onto their tummy, you might like to gently turn them back, but do not feel you have to get up all night to check. Give them some time to play on their tummy while they are awake to help their development, but make sure you supervise them while they are on their front.

    baby sleeping in moses basket

    How to Set Up Baby Cot safely / Moses Basket Contents 

    • Remove soft toys from your baby’s sleep area before each sleep period. Babies should be slept in a clear sleep space, which is easy to create in a cot or Moses basket.

    Sleep Pods Or Sleep Nests Are NOT Safe For Baby to  Sleep In

    There are some items that I would not recommend

    • pods or nests
    • pillows, duvets or thick heavy bedding
    • cot bumpers
    • hammocks
    • sleep positioners

    Parent And Baby Co-Sleeping

    Sharing your bed with your baby is called co-sleeping.

    For safer co-sleeping:

    • Keep pillows, sheets, blankets away from your baby or any other items that could obstruct your baby’s breathing or cause them to overheat. A high proportion of infants who die as a result of SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding.

    • Follow the other safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS such as sleeping baby on their back.

    • Avoid letting pets or other children in the bed.

    • Make sure baby won’t fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall.

    It is important for you to know that there are some circumstances in which co-sleeping with your baby can be very dangerous:

    • Either you or your partner smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom).

    • Either you or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs (including medications that may make you drowsy).

    • You are extremely tired.

    • Your baby was born premature (37 weeks or less).

    • Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5½ lbs or less).

    • Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby, this can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times.

    You should never sleep together with your baby if any of the above points apply to you or your partner.

    How Can I Make Sure My Child-Care Provider Follows My Safe Sleep Guidelines?

    All Child-care providers whether they are independent child-minders, a nursery setting or a relative should be following safer sleep guidelines. It is definitely a conversation you should have with them when considering your child’s placement with them. Look for pro-active nurseries such as Highbury Community Nursery, who are actively engaging conversations around best sleep practices with their parents by seeking out professional advice to follow and dispense. If you are a child-care provider and would like to discuss getting an informational newsletter to send out to your parents from a professional Baby Sleep Coach, then please get in touch as I’d be happy to help!

    References:

    https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/

    Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.


    For more advice on how to help your baby sleep and find a baby sleep solution that works for you and your family, you can check out our
     1 : 1 consultation services or our new baby sleep guides which come with free access to my Sleepy Village Facebook community for easy access to get your questions answered.