Infant Congestion

When baby spits up (visually spits up or dry swallows [swallowing like they just ate, but haven’t been feeding]) the contents can inflame the lining and a narrowing of their little airway. This is why many tiny tots with reflux also struggle with congestion.

Humans were designed to be nasal breathers. However, if there’s oral dysfunction (ex. tongue not to the roof of the mouth and mouth open at rest), congestion, etc. we revert to mouth breathing to get the oxygen we need.

Babies little airway passages are 50% smaller than ours. Any restriction such as congestion or inflammation creates faster and more obvious dysfunciton.

The nose was designed to filter the air we breathe, if this is bypassed through mouth breathing, the tonsils and adenoids can then become enlarged, swollen and cranky.

If we are mouth breathing in place of nasal breathing, this can also lead to irritated sinuses.

The tongue being suctioned to the roof of the mouth when swallowing creates a “clearing” of the middle ear which is why ear infections can also be related to congestion, breathing and oral dysfunction.