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Ask A Midwife

Q. My newborn son is was born on September 03, 1998 and is currently 16 weeks old. He has recently discovered that he can make funny noises and faces with his tongue. Normally this would not concern me, but my wife believes that she read somewhere that this could be a foreshadowing of future problems. What she recalls is that when a baby is constantly sticking out his tongue, it could be a sign of "something". She can not remember if it was Autism or Dehydration or possibly something else. After searching on the internet, I have been unable to find any information on this subject. Could you please enlighten me with any information you may have Thank you.

A. On first reading, my initial though is it is normal. I would look at some of the great photo and baby books that show photos of some of the things baby's learn to do as they explore who they are. Some even imitate the facial expressions they see in their parents and others. If you have a video camera, or even a polorid camera, take some pictures of exactly what you are observing. Then, talk with your baby's heatlh care provider. If you still are concerned there is something wrong, the next step would be a Genetic Counselor. They are familiar with the wide range of syndromes that exist.

Your wife is right in one frame, in that sometimes abnormal facies do indicate a syndrome or condition. The trick is determining what is 'normal' and what is 'not-normal' or part of a Syndrome.

Again, getting some photos of your child doing these facial gestures will be most helpful for a consultant.

Dehydration would probably not be noticed in facal actions, but rather a lethargy. And if the baby is peeing okay, and drinking lots of fluids, dehydration is not a problem.

Good luck on your search, and please keep me posted.

Pat Sonnenstuhl is a semi-retired nurse midwife with over 30 years of experience in health care (first as an RN, then as an ARNP, CNM). She has experience with hospital nursing/midwifery and home and birth center midwifery.

Two areas of special interest to her are GBS and nutrition.

She is about empowerment, and helping folks find their own answers, what is right for them, not what is right for her. But, she wants you well informed.