Question
Hello! My daughter is 2 and a half months old, and she has started to salivate excessively over the past week. The saliva from the corners of her mouth keeps dripping, even onto her clothes. I have to wipe her saliva constantly, and it is clear and sticky. Is this normal? What should I do? Moreover, she recently has a liking for putting her hands in her mouth, often pushing her little fist inside, which makes her lips red. This concerns me.
Answer
Salivation, or excessive drooling, refers to the involuntary overflow of saliva from the mouth. Typically, infants under 1 year old experience this due to their small oral cavity, large saliva production, and an underdeveloped nervous system that cannot fully control the opening and closing of the mouth or swallowing actions. Additionally, teething can stimulate the gums, leading to frequent drooling. This condition usually diminishes around the age of 1. Regarding the habit of putting hands in the mouth, it is a common self-soothing behavior in babies that aids in the development of teeth and the jawbone. Parents should simply keep the baby’s hands clean and provide appropriate comfort if over-handling causes discomfort. As they grow older, this behavior usually decreases on its own.