Jaw stretches for your baby

What is jaw tightness?

Muscles can become tight when they are not being used very much. When muscles are stiff or tight, it can limit the range of movement. This can happen with the muscles of the mouth and jaw.

Muscle tightness affecting the jaw is more likely to happen if your baby has a neuromuscular condition. We think that if your baby is not feeding orally or only taking small amounts orally this may also contribute to muscle tightness.

Why should I stretch the muscles of my baby’s jaw and mouth?

Stretching your baby’s jaw muscles is an important way of helping them maintain a good range of movement in the jaw so that they will be able to open their mouth wide both now and in the future.

Being able to open your mouth wide is important for activities such as:

• accepting a dummy
• exploring toys
• developing oral skills
• talking and making speech sounds
• feeding skills
• mouthcare and cleaning teeth
• dental and medical procedures

These gentle exercises are designed to keep your baby’s jaw muscles nice and relaxed and able to move through the full range of movement, even if your baby is not able to make these movements themselves.

When do I do jaw stretches with my baby?

Try and do these stretches as part of you and your baby’s daily routine. A good time to do this might be when you are offering other cares to your baby such as bath time, nappy time or when you are having a quiet time together.

Doing the stretching exercises as part of a routine will help your baby become familiar with them and know what is going to happen.

How do I stretch my baby’s jaw muscles?

Your baby needs to be awake, alert and in a comfortable position. Your baby can be on their back or being held, fully supported, by another, familiar adult.

Make sure your hands are clean or wear a fresh pair of surgical gloves.

It may take some time for your baby to get used to the stretches and to you touching their mouth. Only do these stretches if advised by your therapy team. If your baby continues to find it difficult to tolerate the stretches, ask your therapy team for advice.

Stroking

Gentle but firm downward strokes on baby’s cheeks.

Jaw massage

Place your fingers on the angle of the jaw. You can either do this one side at a time or both sides together depending on baby’s position. Using small circular movements massage towards baby’s mouth.

Jaw stretches

You can do this on both sides of the mouth at the same time or one side at a time. Make sure you do the same number of stretches on each side of the jaw.

Place your finger in baby’s mouth along the lower gum line. Gently open your baby’s mouth moving the jaw downwards until you reach a point of resistance. Hold for a count of 5.

Repeat these stretches 3 to 4 times.