Babies often chew on their tongues around six months due to teething, oral exploration, and sensory development.
Understanding the Behavior: 6-Month-Old Chewing On Tongue- Why It Happens
At around six months, babies enter a phase of rapid development that includes new motor skills and sensory experiences. One common behavior observed during this time is chewing or biting on their tongue. This might seem alarming to parents, but it’s generally a normal part of infant growth and exploration.
Babies explore their world primarily through their mouths. Chewing on the tongue is a natural extension of this oral curiosity. It can also be linked to the onset of teething, where gums become sore and chewing provides relief. Additionally, as babies gain better control over their mouth muscles, they experiment with different movements, including tongue chewing.
This behavior is not harmful in most cases but understanding why it happens helps caregivers respond appropriately without unnecessary worry.
Teething and Tongue Chewing: The Soothing Connection
Teething typically begins around six months, though it varies from child to child. When teeth start to emerge beneath the gums, babies often experience discomfort or mild pain. Chewing on the tongue or other objects helps relieve this pressure.
The tongue itself is highly sensitive with many nerve endings. When a baby chews on it, they might be trying to massage their gums indirectly or distract themselves from teething pain. This self-soothing action can be comforting and reduce fussiness.
Parents sometimes mistake this for self-injury, but the tongue’s resilience and constant saliva production protect it from damage in most cases. However, if chewing becomes aggressive or causes visible sores, consulting a pediatrician is advisable.
Signs That Chewing Is Linked to Teething
- Increased drooling
- Irritability or fussiness
- Swollen or tender gums
- Desire to bite on toys or fingers
- Mild temperature rise (not fever)
All these signs combined with tongue chewing strongly suggest teething as the cause.
Oral Exploration as a Developmental Milestone
Infants learn about their environment through sensory input—touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. The mouth is one of the most sensitive areas for sensory feedback. By six months, babies begin refining fine motor skills and oral coordination.
Chewing on the tongue can be a form of oral exploration where babies discover new sensations inside their mouth. It helps them understand textures and develop muscle control essential for future feeding skills like eating solids and speech development.
This behavior reflects curiosity rather than distress. Encouraging safe oral play with clean teething toys supports healthy sensory development during this stage.
The Role of Oral Motor Skills
Developing strong oral motor skills involves coordinated movements of lips, tongue, jaw, and cheeks. Tongue chewing exercises these muscles indirectly by engaging them in repetitive motion.
Such activity promotes:
- Improved swallowing function
- Better control over saliva
- Preparation for speaking sounds
This explains why many babies engage in repetitive mouth movements including tongue chewing at this age.
Possible Triggers Beyond Teething and Exploration
Though teething and exploration are primary reasons for tongue chewing at six months, other factors may contribute:
- Boredom: Babies often resort to oral behaviors when understimulated.
- Anxiety or Stress: Changes in routine or environment may cause self-soothing through chewing.
- Oral Sensory Processing Issues: Some infants may have heightened or reduced sensitivity requiring additional oral stimulation.
Recognizing these triggers helps caregivers address underlying needs more effectively rather than focusing solely on the chewing habit itself.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If tongue chewing is accompanied by:
- Persistent crying or distress
- Visible wounds or bleeding on the tongue
- Difficulties feeding or swallowing
- Unusual repetitive behaviors beyond typical age range
It’s important to consult a pediatrician or pediatric dentist for evaluation. These symptoms could indicate underlying issues such as oral infections or developmental concerns requiring intervention.
The Impact of Tongue Chewing on Feeding Patterns
Babies at six months usually start transitioning from exclusive milk feeding to introducing solids. Tongue chewing can influence how they adapt to new textures during feeding times.
Chewing on the tongue may:
- Help them get used to mouth movements needed for eating solids.
- Cause temporary distraction during meals if focused on self-chewing instead.
- Soothe discomfort making feeding easier when gums hurt.
Parents should observe how this behavior affects feeding but generally avoid forcing solid foods if baby appears uncomfortable.
Tongue Chewing Compared With Other Oral Habits at Six Months
Babies exhibit various oral habits around six months that may overlap with tongue chewing but have distinct characteristics:
| Oral Habit | Description | Typical Cause/Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue Chewing | Biting or moving the tongue repetitively inside the mouth. | Sensory exploration; teething relief; muscle development. |
| Sucking Thumb/Fingers | Sucking digits for comfort. | Self-soothing; hunger; calming mechanism. |
| Lip Biting/Chewing | Biting lower/upper lip repeatedly. | Anxiety; boredom; sensory stimulation. |
| Mouthing Objects/Toys | Putting items into mouth frequently. | Tactile exploration; teething comfort; learning textures. |
| Tongue Thrusting | Pushing tongue forward beyond lips repeatedly. | Immature swallowing reflex; seeking oral stimulation. |
Understanding these differences helps parents identify normal behaviors versus those needing attention.
Caring For Your Baby’s Oral Health During This Phase
Maintaining good oral hygiene even before teeth fully erupt sets a foundation for healthy dental development. Since babies chew on their tongues frequently at six months due to various reasons including teething and exploration, proper care minimizes risks of irritation or infection.
Some helpful practices include:
- Cleansing Gums: Use a soft damp cloth to gently wipe gums daily after feeding sessions.
- Avoiding Sugary Liquids: Prevent early tooth decay by limiting sugary drinks even if teeth haven’t emerged yet.
- Selecting Safe Teethers: Choose BPA-free silicone teethers that are easy to clean and soothe sore gums effectively.
- Avoiding Sharp Objects: Keep small hard items out of reach that could injure delicate mouth tissues during chewing phases.
Regular pediatric dental check-ups starting by one year old help monitor progress and address any concerns early on.
Tongue Chewing in Relation to Speech Development Milestones
Tongue movement plays an essential role in speech production later in childhood. The repetitive action of chewing on the tongue at six months contributes indirectly by strengthening muscles necessary for articulation.
Babies practice controlling their tongues through various motions such as:
- Licking lips;
- Mimicking sounds;
- Biting gently;
These activities build muscle memory needed when they begin babbling consonant-vowel combinations like “ba” or “da.”
While occasional excessive tongue chewing isn’t usually problematic for speech development, persistent unusual patterns might warrant evaluation by a speech-language pathologist after infancy if concerns arise about delayed milestones.
The Emotional Aspect Behind Tongue Chewing Behavior
Although largely physical in nature due to teething and sensory discovery, there’s an emotional layer behind why some infants chew their tongues more frequently than others. Babies express comfort needs nonverbally through body language including oral habits like chewing.
The soothing effect derived from repetitive motions calms nervous systems during moments of overstimulation or fatigue. This emotional regulation technique can help infants cope with new sensations they encounter daily as they grow rapidly during this stage.
Parents responding sensitively by offering comfort objects (blankets/toys) alongside safe teethers provide reassurance without discouraging natural coping mechanisms such as tongue chewing unless harmful patterns emerge over time.
Key Takeaways: 6-Month-Old Chewing On Tongue- Why It Happens
➤ Teething discomfort often causes tongue chewing in infants.
➤ Exploring sensations helps babies learn about their mouth.
➤ Mouth soreness can lead to increased tongue chewing.
➤ Oral motor development involves experimenting with tongue movements.
➤ If excessive, consult a pediatrician to rule out issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my 6-month-old chewing on their tongue?
At around six months, babies often chew on their tongues as part of teething and oral exploration. This behavior helps soothe sore gums and allows infants to explore new sensations as their motor skills and sensory development advance.
Is 6-month-old chewing on tongue a sign of teething discomfort?
Yes, chewing on the tongue can indicate teething discomfort. The pressure from emerging teeth causes soreness, and chewing helps relieve this pain. Increased drooling and irritability often accompany this behavior during teething.
Can tongue chewing at 6 months harm my baby?
Generally, chewing on the tongue at six months is harmless due to the tongue’s resilience and saliva protection. However, if the chewing becomes aggressive or causes sores, it’s best to consult a pediatrician for advice.
How does oral exploration relate to a 6-month-old chewing on their tongue?
Oral exploration is a key developmental milestone where babies use their mouths to learn about textures and sensations. Chewing on the tongue at six months helps infants refine oral coordination and discover new sensory experiences safely.
When should I be concerned about my 6-month-old chewing on their tongue?
If tongue chewing leads to visible sores, persistent fussiness, or seems aggressive, it may require medical attention. Otherwise, it is typically a normal behavior linked to teething and sensory development during infancy.
Conclusion – 6-Month-Old Chewing On Tongue- Why It Happens
The phenomenon of a 6-month-old chewing on their tongue occurs primarily due to teething discomfort, sensory exploration, and developing oral motor skills. This behavior serves multiple purposes: soothing sore gums, stimulating sensitive nerve endings inside the mouth, strengthening muscles essential for future feeding and speech skills, and providing emotional comfort during rapid growth phases.
While generally harmless and temporary, caregivers should monitor intensity levels ensuring no injury occurs while supporting healthy habits through proper hygiene practices and safe teether use. If signs such as persistent pain, bleeding wounds on the tongue, feeding difficulties or unusual repetitive actions arise alongside excessive chewing behaviors — seeking professional advice becomes crucial.
Understanding these nuances empowers parents with knowledge about typical infant development stages reflected in seemingly puzzling actions like tongue chewing at six months old — turning concern into confidence while nurturing baby’s well-being naturally every step of the way.