What does it mean when a baby bites their lower lip?

Nov 08, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, a baby biting their lower lip may be caused by factors such as tooth growth, hunger, dry lips, cheilitis, or iron-deficiency anemia. The patient should promptly visit a reputable hospital to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. In daily diet, it is important to avoid spicy, irritating, raw, cold, or hard foods, and focus on bland, easily digestible food.

Generally, a baby biting their lower lip may be caused by factors such as tooth eruption, hunger, dry lips, cheilitis, or iron-deficiency anemia. The patient should promptly visit a正规 hospital to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Tooth eruption: During the teething period, babies may bite their lower lip to relieve the discomfort caused by swollen or irritated gums. This is a normal physiological phenomenon. Parents can provide teething toys or gum soothers to help alleviate the discomfort.

2. Hunger: When a baby feels hungry, they may express their needs through actions such as lip biting. Therefore, it is important to ensure the baby eats regularly to prevent hunger. For babies who have started complementary feeding, provide nutritionally balanced and easily digestible foods.

3. Dry lips: If a baby's lips are excessively dry, they may bite their lips to relieve the discomfort. In such cases, keep the baby's lips moisturized by using baby-specific lip balm, and ensure adequate water intake to prevent dryness.

4. Cheilitis: Cheilitis is usually caused by infection, and inflammation may lead to redness, swelling, and pain in the lips. To relieve this discomfort, the baby may bite their lower lip. In such cases, medications such as erythromycin ointment, tacrolimus ointment, or chloramphenicol eye ointment may be used as directed by a physician.

5. Iron-deficiency anemia: If a baby's regular diet lacks sufficient iron or there is impaired iron absorption, it may lead to this condition. Iron-deficiency anemia may cause pica (abnormal eating behaviors), including lip biting. In daily life, provide iron-rich foods such as red meat and leafy green vegetables. Additionally, iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate tablets, ferrous succinate tablets, or ferrous fumarate tablets may be used under a doctor's guidance.

In daily diet, avoid spicy, irritating, raw, cold, or hard foods, and opt for bland, easily digestible meals. If symptoms persist, prompt medical consultation is recommended for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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