#asktheexpert hi my baby girl is 2 months old. Most of the time she kept her tongue out

Question

#asktheexpert  hi my baby girl is 2 months old. Most of the time she kept  her tongue out

Accepted Answer

It’s common for babies to stick their tongue out, and in most cases, it’s normal and part of their development. There are several possible reasons why your 2-month-old baby girl might be keeping her tongue out frequently:

### Reasons Why Babies Stick Their Tongue Out:
1. **Normal Development**: At 2 months, babies are still learning about their bodies. Sticking their tongue out is a way of exploring and discovering their mouth and tongue.
   
2. **Hunger Cues**: Babies often stick out their tongue as a hunger signal. It's a natural reflex to help them latch on to the breast or bottle.
   
3. **Mouth Exploration**: Babies use their mouths to explore the world. Sticking out their tongue is part of this early exploration process.
   
4. **Reflexes**: Babies have a "tongue-thrust" reflex, which helps protect them from choking. This reflex causes them to push their tongue forward, especially when something touches their lips.
   
5. **Breathing**: Babies may stick their tongue out if they are adjusting their breathing or if they have a stuffy nose.

### When to Be Concerned:
Though it's usually normal, in rare cases, constantly sticking the tongue out can be a sign of an underlying issue. Consider talking to a pediatrician if:
- **The baby has trouble feeding** or latching due to tongue placement.
- **The baby’s tongue seems unusually large** (a condition called macroglossia).
- **The baby shows other signs of delayed development**, such as difficulty lifting their head, low muscle tone, or trouble making eye contact.

### What to Do:
If the tongue-out behavior seems normal and your baby is feeding, growing, and developing well, there's likely no need for concern. However, if you are worried about the frequency or if it’s affecting feeding, it’s always a good idea to bring it up at your next pediatric check-up for reassurance.