Saliva has many necessary functions. Sometimes though, it may seem like your child is drooling a little too much. Typically, clinically excessive drooling involves low muscle tone, a lack of sensitivity in the lips and face, and difficulty swallowing. Although some drooling is normal in children up to 2 years of age, excessive drooling is also a commonly observed symptom in neurologically impaired children. It is the most common motor disability in childhood.
CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain. In cases of cerebral palsy, one of the affected muscular functions is oral muscular control, meaning that a child with CP will drool almost constantly.
The drooling is usually related to:. Keep in mind that uncontrollable drooling is only one of many symptoms of cerebral palsy. Before you assume that your child has this disorder, you should first consider whether they display any other symptoms. For other children, however, it can be excessive. If you feel concerned about the frequency and amount of drool, seek help from a licensed speech-language pathologist , feeding therapist, or occupational therapist.
By working with a licensed professional, you can eliminate the uncertainty you might be feeling and find answers to your questions. Most importantly, your child will receive the help he needs to better manage how much he drools. Pre-Feeding Skills, Second Edition. Austin, Texas: Pro-Ed. If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we would love to help!
Give us a call at ! Six months : By six months of age, drooling is more controlled when your child is in supine, prone or seated. You may notice drooling as your child babbles or uses his hands to play, point or reach for objects.
Drooling may also be noted as your child is teething or in response to eating particular foods. Last Updated on April 16, We have six salivary glands that produce saliva for us and when excess saliva is produced, we tend to drool. Drooling is a common occurrence in babies. Babies start drooling at about 3 months of age. Some babies drool a bit, while others drool a lot. If you see your baby drooling excessively, it could be due to the underdeveloped muscles in his mouth or excess production of saliva in his mouth.
But there is nothing to worry about, as drooling is a part of his physical development. It is common for babies to drool and a baby might drool for the first two years of his life.
As an infant is not in complete control of the function of swallowing and his mouth muscles, he may drool, even while asleep. If your baby has started drooling, you can expect this condition to continue until he turns 18 to 24 months old. It is quite common for babies to drool. But if a child drools even after the age of four years, then it is not normal. Drooling in babies is normal and it even helps in their development.
A baby may drool slightly to excessively at different stages of his life and as he grows. When a baby is between 1 and 3 months of age, he may not drool at all. Drooling is rare at this time as a baby is always in a face-up position.
So he may not drool during this time or even after that. But some babies may start drooling by 3 months of age. By this time, drooling is slightly more controlled but it continues when the baby babbles or puts toys in his mouth. Usually, babies start teething by this time, hence they drool.
By this stage, babies start rolling over and crawling. They may continue to drool as they are still teething. Teething can stimulate drooling. By 15 months of age, most babies start walking and running, but they may not drool while they walk or run. However, if they indulge in activities or tasks which require concentration, they may drool. Babies will not drool while indulging in regular activities or in activities that promote fine motor skills.
But they may drool while they are being fed or are dressing. Yes, drooling does play an important role in the growth and development of a baby. Drooling is a sign of teething in a baby. Drooling and blowing bubbles are also a sign of physical development in toddlers. If your little one drools or blows bubbles, then it is a sign that he has entered a new period of growth.
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