Newborn Saliva Bubbles: What's Normal And What's Not?

It is normal for newborns to have saliva bubbles, and it is even a significant milestone in their development. Drooling typically starts around two to three months and is often a sign of a developing digestive system. It is also an indication that your baby is getting ready for their first tooth. Drooling is also a way for your baby to experiment with their mouth and ready themselves for speech, using their tongue, and practising chewing and drinking.

A developmental milestone

It is completely normal for newborns to have saliva bubbles, and it is a highly significant action in their development. Blowing bubbles is a sign that your baby is experimenting with their mouth and getting ready for speech, using their tongue, and practising chewing and drinking. This is an important communication milestone!

Babies typically start drooling around two to four months of age, which is a sign of their developing digestive system. Excessive drooling might be due to underdeveloped mouth muscles or simply increased saliva production, both of which are normal but can be assessed by a healthcare professional if you are concerned. Drooling is also a developmental cue, indicating stages like teething, where increased saliva helps to clean teeth and gums.

Babbling or humming is also getting your baby ready to make proper language sounds later on. Matching this with a smile—another skill your baby has probably already learned—is a sign that they are fine-tuning their motor skills.

According to Tammy Gardiner, an early childhood expert and founder of the Sydney-based parenting service Sydney Baby Concierge:

> "From birth, babies are discovering how their bodies and their worlds work through sensory exploration. To us, it might just be spit bubbles, but to them, it is a sequence of actions that causes an effect, and they are honing their skills. It is also part of their oral development."

A UK study from Lancaster University found that infants who blow bubbles and lick their lips seem to learn language earlier or at least more easily than babies who don't.

Oral development

It is normal for newborns to have saliva bubbles, and it is a typical part of a baby's oral development. Drooling is common in babies, and some drool more than others. This is because babies have weak oral muscles that are still developing, and they may not be able to swallow the saliva, which then pools in their mouth and dribbles out. This is known as "poor muscle development".

Around three months old, there is a spike in saliva production as the baby's body prepares for the emergence of teeth and the introduction of solid foods. This increase in saliva production is helpful for babies as it keeps their mouths moist, aids in swallowing, washes away leftover milk and food, and even protects their future teeth from decay and bacteria.

However, it is important to be aware that sudden excessive drooling could be a sign of choking or difficulty swallowing, and medical attention should be sought if the baby shows any signs of choking.

As babies grow and develop, their oral muscles strengthen, and they learn to swallow more effectively, reducing the amount of drooling. This is a natural process that occurs over time as the baby's oral development progresses.

Communication milestone

It is normal for newborns to have saliva bubbles, and it is even considered an important milestone in their development. From around two months old, babies experience an increase in saliva, which leads to drooling and bubble-blowing. This is often a precursor to speech, as they start to experiment with their mouths and learn to imitate sounds. This is also when they begin to recognise speech patterns and associate words with objects.

• Bubble-blowing and drooling: From four to seven months old, babies start to blow bubbles and drool as their teeth begin to emerge. This is a crucial phase for the development of speech and eating solid foods.
• Imitation and experimentation: During this stage, babies are learning to imitate sounds and are encouraged to babble and experiment with their mouths. Caregivers can support this by imitating the bubbles and communicating with the baby.
• Recognition of speech patterns: As they blow bubbles, babies start to recognise speech patterns and learn their names. They also begin to associate words with objects.
• Social skill development: Bubble-blowing can help build social skills as babies communicate in basic forms, such as smiling back at their caregivers. Studies show a correlation between parent-infant social interactions and language development.
• Babbling and early speech: After the bubble-blowing milestone, babies progress to babbling and eventually talking. This marks the beginning of their speech journey.

It is important to note that while bubble-blowing is generally a positive sign, if a baby is excessively drooling or blowing bubbles, or experiencing breathing difficulties or choking, seek emergency medical care.

Excessive drooling

It is normal for newborns to have saliva bubbles, and drooling is very common in healthy children under 2 years of age. Drooling is especially common in babies between 3 and 6 months old, as this is when they start to develop teeth and their world revolves around their mouths. Saliva can soothe tender gums as new teeth emerge, which may contribute to the increased drooling. Drooling is also a classic sign that a baby's teeth are getting ready to push through the gums.

However, excessive drooling may be a cause for concern. 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 important to consult with a healthcare provider, as excessive drooling could be a symptom of a more serious condition caused by a birth injury.

There are a variety of treatment options for excessive drooling, depending on the underlying cause. Lip and tongue muscle exercises can help to strengthen the muscles around the mouth and improve swallowing. Oral sensory activities can also help with drooling caused by a lack of sensitivity in the mouth. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to reduce saliva production.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

It is normal for newborns to have saliva bubbles, and it is usually nothing to worry about. However, if the newborn is also experiencing feeding difficulties, it could be a sign of oesophageal atresia.

Now, onto the topic of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Symptoms of GERD in Infants

• Not gaining weight
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Blood, or green or yellow fluid in their vomit
• Breathing problems such as wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing
• Crying and can't be calmed

Diagnosis of GERD in Infants

A doctor or healthcare provider can usually diagnose GERD based on your baby's symptoms. They may refer you to a stomach doctor (gastroenterologist) and recommend the following tests:

• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy: A small, flexible tube with a camera is used to see the inside of the oesophagus and stomach.
• Oesophageal pH-impedance monitoring: A catheter is inserted into the baby's nose and attached to a monitor that measures the amount of acid or non-acid reflux in the oesophagus.
• Upper GI series: An X-ray using a liquid called barium to view the upper GI tract.

Treatment of GERD in Infants

Treatment of GERD in infants involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.

Lifestyle Changes

• Do not smoke around the baby.
• Burp them more often.
• Hold them upright for 20 to 30 minutes after they eat.
• Place them on their back to sleep on a firm mattress with a close-fitting sheet.
• Feed them smaller amounts every 2 to 4 hours during the day and on demand at night.

Medication

If lifestyle changes are not effective, the doctor may prescribe medication to block and lower the amount of stomach acid.

Outlook

Most babies will outgrow GERD by the time they are 18 months old, and surgery is rarely suggested.

Frequently asked questions