Breathe Easy, Grow Strong: The Role of Nasal Breathing in Infant Health
Most new parents are told to look out for feeding cues, sleep schedules, and developmental milestones—but very few are told to watch how their baby breathes.
Yet the way an infant breathes—especially whether they use their nose or mouth—has lifelong implications for their sleep, facial development, and airway health.
Why Infants Are Natural Nasal Breathers
From birth, babies are designed to breathe through their noses. Nasal breathing keeps the tongue positioned at the roof of the mouth, which is essential for shaping the upper jaw, promoting facial symmetry, and encouraging proper swallowing and feeding mechanics (Huang et al., 2015). It also filters, humidifies, and warms the air—important for a developing immune system.
But when nasal breathing is blocked—by congestion, anatomical restrictions, or tongue-tie—babies often switch to mouth breathing. Over time, this can lead to:
Open mouth posture
High, narrow palates
Altered facial growth
Poor sleep quality
Risk for future airway disorders
🚩 Signs of Airway or Breathing Dysfunction in Infants
Many early signs are subtle and mistaken for typical behavior. Watch for:
Noisy or open-mouth breathing at rest
Snoring or frequent waking
Clicking sounds during bottle or breast feeding
Gassy or fussy feedings
A tongue that rests low or doesn’t elevate well
Flattened head or tight neck from turning to one side only
These symptoms can point to structural or functional issues like tongue-tie, nasal congestion, or neck/jaw tension that affect how a baby breathes and feeds (Baxter et al., 2018).
🌿 How Oral Motor and Manual Therapies Can Help
While surgery may be needed in some cases (such as tongue-tie or nasal obstruction), many infants benefit from early pre-feeding exercises, craniosacral therapy (CST), and speech therapy that supports:
Nasal airway clearance
Proper tongue posture
Functional sucking and swallowing
Reduced tension in the neck, jaw, and shoulders
Better sleep and feeding rhythm
At Schie Health, we work closely with lactation consultants, pediatricians, and pediatric dentists to create a team-based plan that addresses the root cause—not just the symptoms.
💡Why Early Intervention Matters
If airway challenges are left unchecked in infancy, they can evolve into:
Speech delays or articulation issues
TMJ dysfunction
Sleep-disordered breathing or early signs of obstructive sleep apnea
Chronic congestion, allergies, or sinus infections
Postural issues from head tilting or open-mouth posture
When addressed early, these issues are far easier to resolve—supporting a child’s natural growth path and reducing the need for intensive therapies later.
A Small Shift That Lasts a Lifetime
Breathing may seem automatic, but how your baby breathes matters. Supporting nasal breathing in infancy sets the stage for lifelong airway health, restful sleep, balanced facial development, and confident communication.
References
Baxter, R., & Zaghi, S. (2018). Tongue-tie functional impact questionnaire: development and validation. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 113, 119–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.07.032
Huang, Y. C., Wang, J. J., Liao, Y. F., & Chen, P. K. T. (2015). Impact of nasal obstruction on craniofacial growth in children: a systematic review. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 68(5), 631–639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2014.12.025
