Buteyko Breathing Method and Children

This website has quite a bit of information for adults who are seeking help through breathing retraining but kids have problems too. Often the problems we see in children are “cute” but progress into serious problems once they grow into adolescents and adults.

Here are some symptoms to look for in children, that are directly related to dysfunctional (poor) breathing:

• Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes)
• Teeth grinding
• Sweaty hands
• Dry mouth
• Bad breath
• Many cavities
• Difficulty with transitions (school to holidays etc)
• Fidgety
• Irritable
• Difficulty concentrating
• ADD or ADHD diagnosis

Open mouth breathing in children contributes to the symptoms listed above and negatively affects facial growth and development. Poor development of the airway is also related to mouth breathing.

Crooked teeth are corrected by an orthodontist that costs thousands of dollars. Poor facial growth and development can be corrected with surgery or “hidden” with some orthodontic procedures. All instances of crooked teeth are directly related to an Oral Motor Dysfunction 1 (mouth muscles that are not working properly).

All Buteyko Breathing Educators have been trained to work with children. Some of us work with children frequently and are more comfortable with kids. If your local Buteyko Breathing Educator prefers to not work with children, ask them for a referral to someone who does.

Let’s help our children grow up to be the best, and most attractive they can be!

Contributed by Doris Waite, R.D.H.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist Buteyko Breathing Educator