Parents find various activities of their babies to be humorous. One such uncommon activity is a baby chewing on the tongue. You may have noticed your child nibbling on their tongue several times and wondered why they do it. Chewing on the tongue is quite common among babies and is usually their reaction to discovering their tongue. However, there could be other reasons a newborn chews on their tongue. Read this post to learn about the different reasons babies chew their tongues, how to deal with it, and when you should be concerned about your baby’s tongue-chewing habit.
Why Do Babies Chew On Their Tongues?
Dr. Sharon Wiener, a Texas-based board-certified pediatrician, says, “Almost always, tongue chewing is normal and means different things at each age. It can be a feeding reflex in tiny babies and represent teething in babies three to four months or older (a soothing behavior). It can also signify the need or desire for solid foods in babies five to six months and older. Non-serious tongue chewing should be resolved by 12 months.” Here are some of the common reasons for the tongue chewing habit among babies.
1. Discovery of the tongue
Babies are constantly exploring and discovering parts of their body and their uses. Tongue chewing could be a result of them discovering it. They move their tongue to enjoy their discovery and make chewing motions in the process. The little one may even stick their tongue out as part of their exploration of the organ.
2. Hunger
Apart from crying, babies tend to express their hunger in multiple forms. Chewing on their tongue could be one of the ways of indicating their hunger to a caregiver. Older babies who are on solids could associate hunger and food with the chewing motion. Therefore, they may resort to chewing their own tongue when hungry.
3. Newborn reflexes
Babies are born with several reflexes that help in their nutrition and protection (1). Some of the reflexes that involve the tongue are the sucking reflex and the extrusion reflex. The sucking reflex causes the baby to start sucking when their palate (mouth’s roof) is touched. The baby may extend their tongue and appear to chew on it if their palate is touched with another object, such as a pacifier or a feeding spoon. The extrusion reflex, also known as the tongue thrust reflex, causes a baby to stick their tongue out when their lips are touched (2). This reflex helps the baby latch to the bottle or the breast nipple. However, the reflex might be triggered by other objects, such as the baby’s own fingers, and the baby may extend their tongue out and appear to chew on it.
4. Teething
Babies look for multiple ways to subside the pain and discomfort caused by teeth development. Rubbing their gums and chewing on soft objects are the few ways babies use to alleviate discomfort. The baby may discover that their tongue is always present inside their mouth, and they can chew on it anytime to ease the teething pain. If your baby is chewing their tongue due to teething, they will show other signs of teeth development, such as gum inflammation, excessive drooling, and a constant urge to rub their gums (3).
5. Preparing for other developmental milestones
Babies between four and six months of age may chew their tongue as a sign of preparing themselves for eating solids. A four-month-old will also begin to babble with expressions and try to repeat sounds they hear (4). These developmental milestones may make the baby experiment with their tongue and chew on it often.
What To Do About Baby Tongue Chewing?
Tongue chewing could indicate that the baby needs something, such as food, or is undergoing a life event, such as teething (5). You can check for the possible reasons and consider the following interventions. Teething foods might be a little messier but are much healthier. Three great examples are – mango seed with pulp, partially raw apple and a firm, peeled carrot. Use them fresh after thoroughly washing and refrigerating for a couple of hours. An additional advantage is that your baby will grow used to the taste of these super foods and love to eat them as she grows. Many babies chew on their tongues as an experiment. Therefore, do not force them to stop doing it. Exploring parts of their body is the baby’s way of learning about themselves and the world around them. Let them have fun for now as the habit will disappear as the baby grows older.
When To Worry About Baby Tongue Chewing?
Baby’s tongue chewing habit is seldom a cause for concern. Most babies quit tongue biting and chewing as they learn to use the tongue properly. However, you may consult the doctor in the following scenarios. Dr. Wiener adds, “A large tongue can also be caused by congenital hypothyroidism, which, if not diagnosed, can cause poor mental development and poor feeding. Hypothyroidism is generally caught on the neonatal screen done at birth and two weeks. If caught early and treated immediately, most children have normal development.”
Is Tongue Chewing A Sign Of Autism?
Individuals with autism may display repeated tongue chewing or lip biting, but it is not a confirmatory sign of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in babies (8). ASD is a complex condition diagnosed with multiple diagnostic tests at different stages of a child’s life (9). Speak to a doctor or ASD specialist to know more about the various other symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. “Chewing on one side of your baby’s tongue may mean an orofacial abnormality presenting as a tongue in an odd position or a tongue with an odd shape. These can result in a tongue that is in the way, precipitating tongue chewing, and perhaps poor feeding,” Dr. Wiener opines.
