Newborns stick their tongue out due to the natural tongue-thrust reflex (extrusion reflex) that helps with feeding, exploring sensations, developing motor skills, or even mimicking faces, but it's also a way to signal hunger or fullness, and if it persists past 4-6 months, it could relate to tongue ties or other oral issues, warranting a doctor's visit.
Newborns are born with a strong sucking reflex and instinct. Part of this reflex is the tongue-thrust reflex, where the baby sticks out their tongue to avoid choking and to latch onto the nipple. Additionally, learning to use their mouth is one of the first steps for newborns to experience the world.
Tongue tie may also cause colic, reflux and clicking noises while feeding in both breastfed and bottle fed babies. I think my baby has a tongue tie, what should I do? discuss your options with you. It is important that you have already sought help and support with positioning and attachment before attending the clinic.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is an iatrogenic disorder that results in involuntary repetitive body movements, which may include grimacing, sticking out the tongue or smacking the lips, which occurs following treatment with medication. Additional motor symptoms include chorea or athetosis.
Tongue thrust and other oral behaviors are considered examples of “stimming,” or repetitive movements or noises, which autistic children and teens often do as a coping mechanism during overwhelming situations.
The main sign of tardive dyskinesia (TD) is making movements which you don't usually make. And which are totally out of your control. Normally, the first sign of TD is irregular tongue movements. These might be very small and you might not even notice them at first.
Developing Motor Skills
The early weeks and months of a baby's life are marked by rapid development, including the refinement of motor skills. Sticking out the tongue is often a part of this process, as babies experiment with the movement and coordination of their facial muscles.
In some cases, yes—mild lip or tongue-ties can improve over time. As a child grows, their mouth and oral tissues develop, and the frenulum may stretch or become less restrictive. For instance: Mild tongue-ties may not cause feeding or speech difficulties and might loosen as a child grows, making treatment unnecessary.
The hardest months of breastfeeding are generally the first few weeks/months (newborn stage) due to latch issues, constant feeding, and sleep deprivation, and a challenging period around 3-6 months when babies become more distractible and fussy due to developmental leaps (growth spurts, wonder weeks). The first month is a steep learning curve as you establish supply, while the 3-6 month "crisis" involves big developmental changes that can make nursing seem difficult again, often linked to growth spurts and increased awareness, but these phases usually pass as you both learn and adapt.
Baby sleep red flags include breathing issues (snoring, pauses in breath, mouth breathing), signs of illness (lethargy, poor feeding, fever), extreme fussiness or inconsolable crying, difficulty waking, signs of pain/discomfort (rashes, thrashing), or persistent poor sleep despite good habits, suggesting a medical or significant developmental issue needing a doctor's input, especially if accompanied by poor weight gain or unusual lethargy, notes The Royal Children's Hospital and Intuitive Parenting DC.
Often, babies with tongue-tie don't need this procedure at all. Providers only suggest a frenotomy if changes to your breastfeeding position and your baby's latch don't resolve the symptoms. This safe procedure is the gold standard for treating infants with tongue-tie.
Developing Motor Skills
The early weeks and months of a baby's life are marked by rapid development, including the refinement of motor skills. Sticking out the tongue is often a part of this process, as babies experiment with the movement and coordination of their facial muscles.
Sticking out your tongue may indicate concentration, as scientists believe the action helps people think. Showing a tongue can be a sign of silliness, flirtatiousness, or rudeness. Babies stick out their tongues when trying to imitate you, are hungry, or have trouble breathing out of their nose.
The ideal age for tongue tie release, or frenectomy, is typically between 2-6 weeks of age. This is because the procedure is simpler and recovery is quicker for younger infants. Additionally, early intervention can help prevent problems with breastfeeding and future speech issues.
Complications. Tongue-tie may affect a baby's oral development, as well as the way the child eats, speaks and swallows. For example, tongue-tie can sometimes lead to: Breastfeeding problems.
There is also speculation of a relationship between tongue-tie and ADHD. While there is no evidence that a tongue-tie can cause ADHD, an untreated tie can cause problems that lead to behaviors that mimic the disorder.
Now that breastfeeding is once again popular among mothers, dentists are beginning to see more cases of lip and tongue ties than before. As a result, frenectomies are now becoming a more common practice as women express their struggles with nursing.
The 👅 (tongue) emoji can convey a playful and joking mood.
It's basically like sticking your tongue out at someone, except you're doing it over text! Someone who tells a joke or teases you might pair it with the 👅 emoji to show you they're just playing around—and not trying to genuinely insult you.
For example, some people may use it as a sign of silliness, while others may do it to express disgust. A person may also stick their tongue out if they need to concentrate. Additionally, a baby who sticks their tongue out could be learning about their body, or it may indicate an underlying issue.
Isaiah 57:3-4 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Who do you think you're mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Why, you're a rebellious child, the offspring of liars!
The 7 key danger signs for newborns, often highlighted by organizations like the WHO, are not feeding well, convulsions, fast breathing, severe chest indrawing, lethargy/unconsciousness (movement only when stimulated), high or low temperature, and jaundice (yellow skin/soles) or signs of local infection like an infected umbilical stump, requiring immediate medical attention.
That wide-eyed, round-mouthed “O face” your baby pulls isn't just for dramatic effect—it's actually part of newborn talking. This funny little expression usually means your baby's intrigued, alert, or trying to make sense of what they're seeing. It's their way of saying, “Whoa, what's that?”—without the vocabulary.
Tongue thrust and other oral behaviors are considered examples of “stimming,” or repetitive movements or noises, which autistic children and teens often do as a coping mechanism during overwhelming situations.
An oversized tongue that's always sticking out may be the most obvious and common macroglossia symptom. Other symptoms are: Noisy, high-pitched breathing (stridor). Snoring or low-pitched breathing (stertor).