Question
Why does a newborn born 10 days ago keep sticking out their tongue?
Answer
If the baby has no other symptoms such as refusing to breastfeed, crying and fussing, or drooling, sticking out the tongue is a normal phenomenon. This is because the baby’s nervous system is rapidly developing, and they explore and experience the world around them through their mouths. This behavior is common in babies aged 1 to 5 months and is a part of the growth and development process. From a psychological perspective, this is also an expression of the baby entering the ‘oral desire stage’, which is an early stage of psychosexual development.