YAWNING

Frequent yawning (occurring more often than what would be considered normal) is a sign seen in approximately 1/3 of infants with Neonatal Abstinence from any substance. This may be seen when the baby is trying to regulate or soothe themselves. It may also be seen with sucking or looking away also when the infant is trying to self-soothe.

NOTE: The Following Videos found in this kit under the Parenting Tips from Specialists will provide more information and/or demonstration that might be useful for some of the interventions recommended here.

NAS: Early Interventions

Assistive Rocking and Weighted Devices

The Soothe Technique

NAS and Movement

STRATEGIES BY DISCIPLINE

NEURODEVELOPMENT

  • Determine root cause by consultation with your baby’s doctor.

  • Be aware that yawning can be a sign of distress. Keep the baby calm and comfortable.

  • Reduce stimulation (lower lights and keep background noise to a minimum) and calm the infant.

  • If the baby is tired you may want to review the strategies to assist with sleep found under CNS symptoms in this kit.

MEDICAL

  • Determine the root cause of the frequent yawning with the help of your baby’s doctor.

  • Your baby’s doctor may want to know:

    • When the yawning started

    • How frequently does the baby yawn.

    • Is the baby getting adequate sleep.

NURSING

  • Swaddle the baby to help the baby regulate.

  • Reduce stimulation and calm the baby.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

  • Keeping your baby calm will help reduce yawning. (the Ollie swaddle (theollieworld.com) was specifically designed with the NAS baby in mind as it offers moisture wicking and stretch with pliable restriction). Make sure to use safe swaddling instructions offered by the manufacturer.

  • Reduce external stimuli (decrease artificial lighting, background noise, and eye contact), rhythmic rocking upright position with baby turned away from you, while applying gentle but firm pressure to chest area, support legs in flexed position, gentle but firm touch when handling. These strategies may help reduce yawning and are part of the SOOTHE technique (click here for more information)

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

  • Do not feed the infant while yawning.

  • Monitor the baby’s cues for other needs the baby may have.