Babies Frequent Saliva, Is This Normal?

In addition to bedwetting, babies also often salivate. This condition is characterized by wet mouth even to the neck and clothes of the child. As a new parent, you might feel worried and wonder why this could happen? Come on, find out the answer in the following review.

Why do babies often salivate?

Saliva is the product of salivary glands containing 98% water and important substances such as enzymes, bacteria, and electrolytes. 

Although often underestimated, saliva turns out to have an important role for the digestive system. Saliva helps you to smooth and digest food. 

Well, this salivary gland is actually already active when it is still in the womb and new parents find out when the baby is born. Generally, babies often salivate a few days after birth until he was 3 months old. 

Most of these conditions are caused by gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux in infants, which is fluid in the stomach that returns to the esophagus. 

Acid reflux in infants occurs due to the sphincter muscle in the lower esophagus not yet fully developed and working properly. 

But you do not need to worry, over time, the muscles will adapt and no longer make your child continue to salivate.

Then, when he starts entering the age of 6 months or more, saliva will often come out of the mouth again. 

This occurs due to increased saliva production because the baby will teething. This condition will continue until the baby is 12 months old. Is it normal if the baby continues to salivate? Salivating or spitting is different from vomiting. Spitting only saliva, while vomiting will release the contents of food. Spitting also doesn't involve strong muscle contractions so it doesn't make the baby feel sick or uncomfortable. You need to know that spitting is normal and does not interfere with the health of the baby. As long as the baby is not fussy, has not lost weight, and remains active, this is nothing to worry about. Although frequent salivation is normal for babies, you should still be aware of a number of things. Reporting from the Mayo Clinic page, consult a doctor immediately, if your child experiences the following symptoms: The liquid released is not saliva, but a yellowish green or bloody liquid. Baby growth and development does not match the age. Weight loss and the baby does not want to eat. Have vomited blood or have blood in his stool. Cry often more than 3 hours a day and have difficulty breathing. 

Tips for dealing with babies who often salivate

Saliva that continues to come out can sometimes cause skin rashes in the area wetted. So that your child does not constantly salivate, you can outsmart it in various ways, such as: 1. Make sure the baby does not overeat Not overfeeding a baby can reduce the occurrence of sphincter muscle contractions. This will reduce the baby's spit or vomiting due to satiety. Instead, give the baby to eat small portions but more often when he is hungry. 2. Limit baby's gestures after eating After eating, don't let your child do activities that make it easier to salivate, like jumping around. Take 20 minutes after eating to straighten up the baby's body, so that the sphincter muscles do not push the stomach fluid back into the esophagus.