Why Does My Baby’s Bottom Lip Quiver?

ByWinters Hours Updated:

babys bottom lip quivers

If your baby’s bottom lip quivers while breastfeeding, it could signal various things. They may be cold, startled, or tired. This can happen when a baby is hungry, tired, or excited. Lip quivering can also signify a more serious condition, such as a congenital disability.

This condition is common in newborns up to 6 months of age. If you think your baby’s lips are constantly quivering, talk to your medical professional or a lactation consultant for medical checkups. They may help you figure out if there is a deeper problem and what you may do to fix it.

This article will discuss all possible causes of lip quivering and how to identify it for the best treatments.

Identifying Lip Quivering At Home

If you think your baby’s bottom lip is quivering, it’s essential to look closely and observe other possible signs and symptoms. Here are some things to look for

  • Is the quivering constant, or does it come and go?
  • Does it seem to get worse when your baby is tired or fussy?
  • Are there other symptoms, such as fussiness, difficulty breastfeeding, or diarrhea?

Causes of Baby’s Lips Quiver

babies bottom lip quivers

Below are some common reasons for baby lip quivers.

Baby is feeling cold

Even a slight drop in the temperature may make your baby feel colder. This may lead to shivering and lip quivering. It’s often harmless and does not last long. The only thing to care for is to ensure your baby is warm and covered.

Muscle fatigue

Breastfeeding is a lot of work for the baby. If you’re new to breastfeeding, your newborn may feel muscle fatigue while nursing. This may lead to lip quivering while breastfeeding. Try the best breastfeeding classes to learn all about feeding your new baby.

Different emotions

Lip quivering may signify emotions such as hunger, excitement, happiness, or fear. The baby may express these emotions with limited expressions, such as lip quivering, crying, smiling, and fussing.

This is harmless and may help you regulate how to care for the baby. A breastfeeding schedule, sleep schedule, and regular bathtime may ease them into a routine.

Underdeveloped nervous system

An underdeveloped nervous system may cause lip quivering. The nervous system is still under development in some infants. Due to this, the brain may send electrical nerve signals to the body, causing lip trembling and quivering.

Apart from lips, the baby’s arms and legs may tremble. In most cases, this subsides by the age of six months. Consult a pediatrician if it persists even after six months.

Passing wind or pee

Your little one may be passing wind or peeing and making those faces to let you know. They may be straining their little bodies to get rid of all the wind they may have swallowed while breastfeeding. Nothing to worry about here except for staying vigilant for the next diaper change.

Low blood sugar levels

When a baby’s blood sugar drops, its body can’t produce the energy it needs to function properly. This can cause the baby’s bottom lip to quiver as the body tries to stabilize itself.

If you think your baby’s bottom lip is quivering due to low blood sugar, it’s essential to contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately. They will be able to give your baby a quick blood sugar test and provide treatment if necessary.

Hypocalcemia

A deficiency of calcium may be another reason for lip quivering. The doctors may confirm this with a blood test for a hypocalcemia workup. If the calcium levels are lower than 6-7 mg/dL, you may need to give them calcium replacement.

Poor feeding

Baby needs to use the tongue, lips, jaw, and throat for breastfeeding. Poor feeding posture, schedule, and lack of milk may make them struggle, causing lip quivering. Try a combination feeding schedule if you are unable to produce ample milk for the baby.

Congenital disability

Many congenital disabilities may cause lip quivering. Some of these include intracranial hemorrhage, hyperthyroid state, and kidney issues. Each of these disorders can cause different degrees of muscle weakness, which may lead to difficulty controlling the lips.

Diagnosing Lips Quivering

infant bottom lip quiver

If your baby’s lips are constantly quivering, talk to your pediatrician. They may help you determine the cause and provide you with treatment options.

  • An opinion of a neurological expert may let you know if there’s a neurological issue. They’ll ask you about the birth complications.
  • Some may conduct tests such as blood sugar, CT scan, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It’ll help to understand the brain’s structure.
  • Electrolyte examination, or cerebrospinal fluid tests, may offer insight into the baby’s nervous system.
  • Neural sonography is another option to know about brain functioning.
  • Lastly, a nutritional profile along with EEG and x-ray may be done to check neural signals.

Can A Quivering Lower Lip Indicate A Birth Defect?

baby quivering lip

Although extremely unusual, a congenital abnormality that causes a quivering lip is theoretically feasible. If a congenital abnormality is the source of a quivering lip, there are nearly usually additional symptoms. Their hands, legs, and even their mouth may tremble or jiggle if caused by a congenital abnormality, as well as other limbs. Low blood sugar levels, a calcium deficit, or even inadequate oxygenation of the brain during birth maybe some of these birth abnormalities.

If you see any unusual symptoms in your child, it is imperative that you take them to the doctor. You should consult your doctor if the person’s lip quivers are accompanied by the uncontrollable arm and leg movements that don’t seem to cease or that last for a while.

Infant Lip-Quivering Complications

newborn lower lip quiver

You will be alarmed if you notice a baby’s jaw trembling. Most medical professionals will check the infant soon away and make a diagnosis. If no anomalies are found in the infant, it is typically only a matter of time before the baby’s tremor entirely goes away.

However, if the quivering is caused by a pathological issue, there is a chance that it will lead to more issues. Perinatal encephalopathy can cause a child’s brain to develop improperly. In the worst situations, it might potentially result in hyperglycemia or brain hemorrhage.

Treatments for Baby’s Lips Quiver

baby lower lip quiver

The treatment may depend on the cause. Quivering due to weak muscles and the nervous system may go away within 2-3 months of life without intervention. Doctors may prescribe calcium and vitamin D for deficiencies.

Besides that, physical therapy and routine checkup may be prescribed in some cases. It’s ideal to consult a doctor to get to the root of the issue.

Tips for Managing Baby’s Lip Quivering

Here’s how to prevent and manage the baby’s lip quivering.

  • Don’t expose the baby to extreme temperature changes. Avoid cold climates.
  • Use the right bath water temperature. It should be around 100 F (38 C).
  • Cover the baby with warm clothes and gently tap on the lips when the baby quivers.
  • Consume a nutritious diet to ensure the baby gets nutrient-rich breast milk. Make sure you feed your baby for at least 6 months.

Faqs:

Why does my baby’s bottom lip quiver when he cries?

One of the rudimentary neonatal reflexes induced by an undeveloped nervous system is the quivering of the lower lip. The lower lip may quiver as a result of activities like crying or feeding that cause fast nerve impulses that the developing nervous system is unable to fully comprehend.

How long do infants’ lips tremble?

Usually a harmless neonatal reaction, lip quivering disappears after two to three months.

Why does the lower jaw of my baby tremble?

The neurological system of a baby who is still growing delivers more electrical impulses to muscles than is necessary, which might cause your infant’s legs or chin to tremble. Over the course of the first several weeks, everything will start to get more structured and tremble less.

Is infant trembling typical?

When a newborn cry, jitters or quivering of the arms and legs is typical. By one to two months of age, it ought to stop. When your baby is not crying, it may be acting jittery, which is abnormal.

In Conclusion

Taking care of the newborn may always keep you on your toes. A last-minute checklist before the baby comes may help you prepare for it better. We hope this information on baby’s lip quivering while breastfeeding will help you understand the condition.

In most cases, lip quivers are normal and may go away as the baby is six months or older. Quivering due to muscle fatigue, cold, and hunger is manageable with the right feeding schedule. If the condition persists, pediatricians and neurologists will help you find the proper treatment.

References:

  1. Checking blood glucose in newborn babies- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724151/#:~:text=When%20babies%20are%20just%201,2.5%20mmol%2FL%20is%20preferred.
  2. Pediatric Hypercalcemia Workup- https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/920955-workup
  3. Bathing Your Baby-
    https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/bathing-your-baby