Baby Chewing Tongue: Why They Do It And What To Do About It

There are several actions of babies that may come across as amusing to the parents. Tongue chewing is one such activity that seems unusual. You may have seen your baby nibble on their tongue many times and wondered what lead to it.

Chewing on the tongue is quite common among babies. It is usually their reaction to the discovery of the tongue. There could be some other reasons, too, behind the baby chewing on their tongue.

Read on as we give you the reasons why babies chew their tongues, how to respond to it, and when to be concerned about your baby’s tongue chewing habit.

Why Do Babies Chew On Their Tongues?

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 pacifiers, 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. You can check for the possible reasons and consider the following interventions.

1. Use teething toys. Teething can cause the baby to chew on anything, including their tongue. As an alternative to the tongue, you can give them teething toys for comfort. The American Dental Association recommends single-piece teethers made of rubber and without any liquid-filling (5).

2. Start solid food. If your baby is six months old, you may introduce solids since tongue chewing may indicate that the baby is hungry, and breast milk or formula alone does not satiate their hunger. Start slowly and introduce them to additional foods over a period. Consult a pediatrician if you have any doubts or concerns regarding introducing solids.

3. Set a feeding schedule. Having a feeding schedule could reduce the occurrence of tongue chewing to some extent. You can reduce the baby’s hunger pangs by feeding them at the same time every day.

4. Satisfy their sucking reflex. If your baby’s chewing results from the suckling reflex, give them a pacifier as an alternative. A pacifier works great for babies who would like to exercise the sucking action beyond bottle-feeding and breastfeeding (6).

Many babies chew on their tongues as experimentation. 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.

1. The habit stays for many months. Babies learn to use their tongue adequately by the age of 12 months. Also, newborn reflexes tend to wear off as the baby grows older. If your baby continues to chew on their tongue even after attaining the age of 12 months, see a doctor.

2. It interferes with eating. If feeding the baby does not stop tongue chewing and it even interferes with feeding, consult a healthcare provider.

3. Tongue chewing affects breathing. See a doctor if the baby chews tongue while gasping for air. It may indicate an orofacial problem affecting the tongue, mouth, and pharynx.

4. Baby bites the tongue with excessive force. If the baby bites the tongue with so much pressure that it bleeds, turns red, or develops a bluish tint, see a doctor.

5. Tongue chewing seems to be accompanied by anomalies. Orofacial anomalies may cause changes in the tongue’s shape or position, causing the baby to repeatedly chew on it either voluntarily or involuntarily (7). Some genetic conditions, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, can cause an abnormally large tongue, which may repeatedly slip between the teeth while chewing (8).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are chew toys safe?

Yes, most teething chew toys are safe (5). They undergo rigorous testing and meet various safety norms. Nevertheless, check the components and material of the toy before you make a purchase. Opt for BPA-free, single-piece rubber teethers.

2. 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 (9). ASD is a complex condition diagnosed with multiple diagnostic tests at different stages of a child’s life (10). Speak to a doctor or ASD specialist to know more about the various other symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.

Tongue chewing in babies is a benign habit that gradually fades away. Observe your baby and check for any signs that indicate the reason behind the tongue chewing. As the baby grows older, they develop better control with their tongue and learn to use it with dexterity. If chewing on the tongue interferes with feeding, breathing, or if you have any concerns about the habit, speak to a pediatrician.