Baby Chewing With Nothing In Mouth – A Quirk Or A Normal Behavior?
Babies are incredibly curious. The first year of life entails so many different changes and leaps in development.
Some of these developmental phases involve interesting behaviors and characteristics that leave parents and caregivers wondering, “Is this supposed to be happening?”
Baby Chewing With Nothing In Mouth
It’s normal for a baby to chew on things, even if they don’t have anything in their mouth.
This is because babies explore the world around them with their mouths, and it’s a way for them to learn about different textures and tastes.
If you’ve noticed your baby chewing in the absence of food or anything else in their mouth, you are not the only parent making this observation.
In fact, it is very developmentally appropriate for babies to “chew” without anything being in their mouths.
Let’s look at some of the reasons why your baby may be chewing with nothing in their mouth.
Newborn To 3 Months Chewing With Nothing In Mouth
Young babies have a natural need to suck. This reflex helps them to feed, and also provides comfort.
When your baby is born, they will automatically start to suck on anything that touches their lips.
This is why it’s so important to make sure that nothing sharp or harmful is within reach.
As your baby starts to grow, they will begin to explore the world around them with their mouth.
This helps them to learn about textures, tastes, and shapes. It also gives them a chance to practice the important skill of chewing.
Newborns and young infants will often make a chewing motion when they are hungry or want to suck on something.
This is because the rooting reflex is still very strong.
The rooting reflex is what tells your baby to turn their head and open their mouth when something touches their cheek.
This reflex starts to fade around 3 months old. But, until it does, your baby may make a chewing motion when they are hungry or just want to suck on something.
Ps. Read my new article on when do you stop swaddling a baby and how to help them sleep at night.
Chewing Because Of Hunger Cues And Growth Spurts
During the first few months of life, babies start to develop a regular feeding and sleeping schedule.
However, this schedule is often interrupted by growth spurts. Growth spurts usually happen around 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months old.
During a growth spurt, your baby will suddenly become very hungry and want to eat more often than usual.
They may also want to suck on their fingers or a pacifier to help soothe themselves.
Chewing is another way that babies can self-soothe. When your baby is chewing without anything in their mouth, they are probably trying to comfort themselves.
If your baby is fussy and seems to be chewing on nothing, try offering them a pacifier.
You can also try rocking or bouncing them, or playing a lullaby to help soothe them.
Chewing Because Of Silent Reflux
As a new parent, you’re probably wondering what silent reflux is in newborns.
Silent reflux is when stomach contents are brought up into the throat without a baby actually vomiting.
It can cause your baby to be fussy and restless, and it may even cause them to cry.
Silent reflux is most common in babies who are between the ages of two weeks and four months old.
If your baby has silent reflux, there are a few things you can do to help ease their discomfort.
You can try feeding them in an upright position, burping them often, and keeping them upright for at least 30 minutes after each feeding.
My youngest boy (now 3 months old) suffered from silent reflux and would stick his tongue out and chew at nothing often.
The doctor determined he was having an allergic reaction to the dairy products I was eating.
This is common for newborns when their mothers are breastfeeding.
I had to give up dairy products for a few weeks, and my son’s symptoms went away.
You should also avoid putting your baby down for a nap immediately after they eat. If you’re concerned about silent reflux, talk to your doctor.
They may suggest medications or other treatments that can help ease your baby’s discomfort.
3 To 6 Months Old Chewing With Nothing In Mouth
Once the rooting reflex starts to fade, your baby will begin to explore their environment in new ways.
They will use their hands to touch and feel things around them. And, they will use their mouth to explore as well.
At this age, chewing with nothing in their mouth is a way for your baby to learn about the world around them.
They are exploring different textures and tastes. And, they are practicing the important skill of chewing.
This is also a time when babies start to put everything they can find into their mouths.
This is because they are curious and want to learn about the world around them.
This is perfectly normal behavior. Keep an eye on your baby and make sure that they are not putting anything harmful in their mouth.
6 To 12 Months Old Chewing With Nothing In Mouth
Your baby’s teeth will begin to show at around 6 months of age.
It can be as early as 2 months in rare cases, but generally, 5 to 6 months is when babies will begin to teeth. This is a process that can take some time.
During this teething process, your baby may chew on anything they can get their hands on.
This helps to ease the discomfort that comes with teething. It also helps them to practice the important skill of chewing.
Once your baby’s teeth start to come in, they will be able to chew their food better.
This is an important milestone in their development. It helps them to eat more solid foods and get the nutrients they need.
Chewing with nothing in their mouth is also a way for your baby to self-soothe. If they are feeling fussy or tired, chewing can help to calm them down.
Just be sure that you are offering your baby a variety of safe things to chew on. This can include teething toys, soft foods, and washcloths.
Chewing is an important part of the process of learning to eat solid foods.
When your baby starts to chew with nothing in their mouth, they are practicing this skill and getting ready for the next stage of development.
Sign Of Chewing Because Of Teething
You may be wondering, ” when will my baby start teething?” teething is when your baby’s teeth start to come in.
It can be a tough time for both you and your baby.
There are a few signs that may let you know that your baby is teething, such as:
- Excessive drooling or drool more than usual
- Chew on everything
- Sucking on their fingers or thumb
- Rubbing their gums
- Crying or fussiness, especially at night
- A mild fever is also common
If your baby is teething, you may notice that they start to chew on everything. This helps to ease the discomfort that comes with teething.
If you think your baby might be teething, you can try giving them a cool teething ring or putting a cold washcloth on their gums to help with the pain.
You can also give them pain reliever medicines if recommended by your doctor. Be sure to check with your doctor before giving your child any medicine.
If you’re not sure whether or not your child is teething, ask your doctor.
They can help you determine what’s causing your child’s symptoms and how to best treat them. Thanks for reading!
Chewing As A Form Of Communication
Mouth chewing in the absence of food can also be an infant’s method of nonverbal communication.
They may be trying to communicate their needs to you by exhibiting hunger cues using their mouth and tongue.
If your baby is chewing on their fingers, they may be hungry.
If they are putting their hands in their mouth and then bringing them to you, they may be trying to tell you that they want to breastfeed or eat.
Babies communicate their needs in many different ways. Chewing is just one of the ways that they do it.
If you are concerned that your baby is not eating enough, or if they are losing weight, be sure to talk to your pediatrician.
They can help you determine if there is a problem and offer solutions.
In the meantime, continue to offer your baby a variety of safe things to chew on. This can help them to self-soothe and feel comforted.
What Are The Benefits Of Chewing?
Chewing is important for babies for a few different reasons. First, it helps them to develop their muscles.
The muscles in the jaw, tongue, and lips are all used when a baby chews.
These muscles need to be strong in order for a baby to be able to eat solid food when they start teething.
Second, chewing helps babies to develop their sense of taste.
When babies chew, they release saliva, which contains enzymes that break down food and help babies to taste it better.
Third, chewing helps babies to develop their sense of touch. When babies feel different textures in their mouths, it helps them to understand the world around them better.
Finally, chewing helps babies to soothe themselves. Sucking and chewing are calming activities that can help to ease discomfort and fussiness.
If your baby is fussy, try offering them a pacifier. You can also try rocking or bouncing them, or playing a lullaby to help soothe them.
Is It Normal For Babies To Chew On Their Tongues?
It’s perfectly normal for your baby to chew on their tongue. In fact, it’s one of the ways they explore their new surroundings.
Your baby is learning how to use their mouth, and that includes their tongue. chewing helps them to develop the muscles in their mouth and tongue.
It also helps them to become more aware of the sensation of different textures.
So go ahead and give your baby some time to chew on their tongue. It’s all part of the process of growing up.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Baby’s Chewing?
If you notice that your baby is excessively chewing on their tongue or if they are having trouble eating or drinking, it’s important to talk to your pediatrician.
You might notice that your baby is having trouble latching on to your breast or bottle. They may also be drooling more than usual.
These are all signs that your baby may be experiencing pain while chewing. Your pediatrician can help you determine the cause of the pain and offer solutions.
They can help you determine if there is a problem and offer solutions. In the meantime, continue to offer your baby a variety of safe things to chew on.
This can help them to self-soothe and feel comforted.
Developmentally Appropriate Chewing Behavior
If you notice your infant chewing when there isn’t anything in their mouth, do not worry!
This is developmentally appropriate behavior and a method of exploration and communication.
If they are showing signs of discomfort while chewing, contact your healthcare provider to make sure all is well.
However, if they are frequently chewing but not showing signs of discomfort, let them explore.
Through this action, they are experimenting, self-soothing, communicating, teething, and, ultimately, growing, which is exactly what they’re supposed to be doing.
Parenthood comes with a slew of uncertainties and doubts.
Knowing what behaviors are normal for infants and why they occur can help you and caregivers better care for and nurture infants.
How Do I Stop My Baby From Chewing
You’re at your wit’s end. You’ve tried everything to stop your baby from chewing on his fingers, but nothing seems to work.
Your baby is teething, and you’re worried that he’s going to damage his teeth.
What can you do?
First of all, don’t worry – this is a normal phase that all babies go through. It’s important to provide your baby with some relief from the discomfort of teething.
You can do this by giving him something cold to chew on, like a teething ring or a clean, wet washcloth. You can also try massaging his gums with your finger.
If your baby is still finding relief by chewing on his fingers, there are a few things you can do to make sure he doesn’t damage his teeth.
- Make sure he’s only chewing on his bottom teeth – top teeth are much more delicate and can be easily damaged.
- Try to discourage him from chewing for long periods of time by offering him other activities to distract him.
- Make sure he’s getting enough fluoride – this will help to strengthen his teeth and make them more resistant to damage.
With a little patience, you’ll get through this phase and your baby will be back to his normal self in no time.
Is Baby Chewing On Nothing A Sign Of Autism?
Some parents become concerned when their child is constantly chewing on nothing. They may wonder if this is a sign of autism.
While there is no one answer to this question, it’s important to remember that all babies are different and develop at their own pace.
Autism can have a broad spectrum and there are many other signs that are associated with it.
Although chewing could be one of those signs, it’s most likely normal.
Other more common signs of autism are a lack of eye contact, social skills, and repetitive behaviors.
If you’re concerned that your child may be showing signs of autism, the best thing to do is to talk to your pediatrician.
They can help you determine if there is cause for concern and offer guidance on what to do next.
Babies explore their world through all of their senses, and one way they do this is by chewing on everything in sight.
While it can be worrying when your baby is constantly chewing on nothing, it’s most likely just a phase that he will outgrow.
