Breathe to Grow: Why Your Baby’s Airway and Facial Development Start Sooner Than You Think

As parents, we often wait for milestones — crawling, walking, talking — before we tune into how our child is developing. But what if one of the most foundational parts of your child’s health actually begins in the first few weeks of life?

Let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked: your child’s airway and orofacial development (that’s the mouth, jaw, tongue, and facial muscles). Because healthy breathing isn’t just about lungs — it starts with the shape and function of the face.

Why the Way Your Baby Breathes Matters

Breathing should be quiet, effortless, and through the nose. But many babies start life as mouth breathers — often due to things like birth trauma, oral restrictions (like tongue or lip ties), muscle imbalances, or congestion.

Mouth breathing isn't just a “cute habit” — it can shape how your baby’s face and jaw grow, how they sleep, how they eat, and even how they speak.

When the tongue isn’t resting on the roof of the mouth (its natural “home base”), it can impact:

• The growth of the palate and nasal airway

• The alignment of teeth and jaws

• The development of proper swallowing and speech patterns

• Deep, restorative sleep and behavior regulation

Over time, these patterns can contribute to challenges like crowded teeth, picky eating, snoring, bedwetting, speech delays, or difficulty focusing. But the good news is: these issues are often preventable and very much addressable with the right support.

It’s Never Too Early to Start

Most parents are surprised to learn that airway and orofacial support can begin in the first few weeks of life. Yes — newborns can benefit from this kind of work.

In fact, the earlier therapy begins, the more we can support healthy muscle patterns before compensations take hold.

Early therapy might involve:

• Gentle myofunctional exercises for the face, jaw, and tongue

• Support with feeding skills (breast or bottle)

• Education on nasal hygiene and airway clearing

• Tummy time strategies and bodywork referrals for postural symmetry

• Guidance on reducing oral habits like pacifier or thumb use

This work isn’t about correcting your child — it’s about giving their body the foundation it needs to function with ease, comfort, and breath.

And It’s Never Too Late to Begin

Maybe your child is 2, 5, or even 10 years old — and you’re just now noticing signs like mouth breathing, messy eating, restless sleep, or crooked teeth.

Please hear this:

It is never too late to support orofacial development.

The body is always adapting. With the right guidance, therapy can help older children:

• Improve nasal breathing and reduce congestion

• Strengthen the muscles of the mouth, jaw, and tongue

• Establish proper swallowing and speech patterns

• Support healthy jaw growth and dental alignment

• Sleep better, focus longer, and feel more regulated throughout the day

Even teens and adults can benefit from myofunctional therapy. Whether your child is a newborn or in elementary school — or you're reflecting back as an adult — it’s not too late to learn, grow, and heal.

What to Watch For

Here are some signs that your baby, toddler, or child might benefit from airway or orofacial support:

In infants:

• Difficulty latching or feeding

• Clicking or popping sounds during feeding

• Spitting up frequently or swallowing air

• Sleeping with mouth open or snoring

• Preference to look only one way

In toddlers and older children:

• Open-mouth breathing during the day or night

• Picky eating or difficulty chewing

• Speech delays or unclear articulation

• Snoring, bedwetting, or restless sleep

• Behavioral struggles or difficulty focusing

• Early signs of dental crowding or narrow palate

If these sound familiar, you’re not alone — and there are solutions. You don’t need a referral or a diagnosis to start asking questions or seeking help.

You Are Your Child’s Advocate

No one knows your child like you do. If something feels off — even if it’s subtle — it’s worth exploring. Your curiosity, your instincts, and your desire to understand more can change the trajectory of your child’s growth and health.

Every breath is a building block.
And whether your child is 6 days, 6 months, or 6 years old, you have the power to support their ability to breathe, eat, sleep, and grow in alignment.

The best time to start was yesterday.

The second-best time is today.

Support is out there — and your child’s next breath is worth it.

We’d love to help. You can start here by filling out our contact form.