Babies do all sorts of odd things. There’s that shaky head hold thing they do that’s just adorable. There are all the little cooing sounds. And then, there’s the newborn bottom lip quiver.
Did you imagine it? Nope, a baby lower lip quiver is usually nothing to freak out about. You may see a newborn lip quiver while breastfeeding or a newborn lip quiver when crying.
I’m here to break it down so you know what’s happening and when you should be concerned about it.
Why does my newborn’s lip quiver?
Many mamas worry when they see a rapid quivering movement in their baby’s lower lip. They may do this while crying. Or if they have a little cold. And other things could indicate more attention is needed.
If you notice your baby’s lip is quivering, you should keep an eye on it. Look for anything that is repetitive and causes your baby to be upset. Then you can bring these notes to the doctor to check things out for your peace of mind.
But let me ease your mind really quick…
Is it normal for a baby’s mouth to quiver?
Yes, for the most part. This is a short-lived part of your baby’s life. We forget that babies, especially newborns, are still developing. They call this newborn phase the 4th trimester for a reason.
Why would your baby’s lips quiver? Here are some reasons for this reaction.
- Nervous system is still developing
As I just mentioned, babies are still developing outside the womb. They are born with a nervous system that still needs to catch up. This can result in a tremble or quiver of that lower lip.
And it’s completely normal. You should notice that lip quivering will stop when your baby is two months old or three months old.
Why is it happening?
As your baby grows, her brain sends electrical impulses throughout her body. When these become too quick or erratic, the nervous system goes into a bit of overdrive and presents in quivering lips.
You should see this improving as time goes on. However, if you start seeing other parts of the body tremble and jerk, like her limbs, there may be more going on. Observe your child; please don’t worry if this sometimes happens in their sleep. Remember, babies experience that Moro or startle reflex, which is VERY typical. I’m talking about if this happens during wakeful hours.
- They’re relieving themselves
For some mamas, they may learn a special way to tell when the baby is passing gas or is ready for a diaper change. Baby lips can quiver when they use the muscles for peeing or releasing gas.
You may see the lower lip and entire jaw shake noticeably for several seconds. It’s so common in newborns, so please don’t worry. Her muscles are just still so delicate at this point. Try checking the diaper immediately; you should be as relieved as your baby!
- Baby is chilly
Do you notice this lip quiver in your newborn when it’s cold? It could be cold in your home or outside, so ensure your baby has dressed appropriately. They may chatter their jaws (or teeth if they have any). Many mamas often report the baby’s lip quivering after taking the baby out of the bathtub.
If you notice the baby has a quivering lip when you take her out of the tub, try spending a few minutes warming up the bathroom first before bathing her. Also, keep those towels ready to bundle her up immediately. This should reduce lip quivering.
And as she grows, she will be able to regulate her body temperature, so she will be less likely to show a quivering lip.
- Rare underlying problems
I’m a mama myself, so believe me, I KNOW all about worrying. We’re moms! This is what we do! Wear that badge with pride!
But I want you to know that underlying medical issues that involve lip quivering are RARE.
That means just about every single one of you reading this will have nothing to worry about if you see your baby’s lip quivering.
If lip quivering happens when your baby is two months old, three months old, or even four months old, it is really nothing to worry about. At any age, when a baby’s lips quiver and there are no other symptoms, you really shouldn’t stress. You can mention it to the pediatrician if it worries you.
And if you see other symptoms, try to write them down or record a video for your doctor. If something is underlying, they can do something about it.
Rare medical cases that involve lip quivering in your baby will also present with seizures, twitching (all over), poor feedings, and sleep disturbances.
So, in short, if your baby’s lip is quivering in the newborn stage with no other symptoms, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
When do babies stop their lips quivering?
As a rule of thumb, this will stop after several months. But all babies are different, and they develop at their own pace. As long as the pediatrician finds they are growing at a normal rate, there should be no cause for concern.
If the nervous system is still developing, this can take a few months, and you should see this instance occurring much less often. This will also be the case with relieving themselves via gas or soiling the diaper.
But if you notice this trembling of your baby’s lips becomes more frequent as they grow rather than less, it’s something to address with the doctor.
Why does my newborn’s chin quiver?
We’ve covered the lip quiver. What about that chin?
Your baby could be crying, which will certainly make the chin and lips quiver. This can happen with bigger kids when they throw a tantrum. You shouldn’t worry about this as it happens with every child when they get upset.
But there is another time you may see the chin quiver on your little one. The jittery impulses they have can happen during sleep. I assure you, this is completely fine just like that startle reflex. Things are still developing, and a quivering chin is often a sign of being in the REM sleep cycle.
Do you notice the chin twitch or quiver during breastfeeding? This is another time not to worry. Baby has all these muscles and movements to coordinate, and well, babies just are NOT coordinated. In the very early stages of the newborn phase, it’s such a common sight to see.
Generally, if no other symptoms persist and these quivers and twitches of the lips and chin become less frequent, you can chalk it up to a normal weird thing that babies do.
However, if at any time you worry that something is wrong with your baby, ask your doctor. They will not laugh at you and can check your baby to give you that peace of mind.
Leslie Berry lives with her husband and two young daughters in Los Altos, California, where she loves helping other moms get comfortable with motherhood and embracing the insanity with facts peppered with laughs.
She loves eating too much sushi, exercising, and jamming out on her Fender. Read more about Leslie here.
