How to stop children drooling
A bit of dribble on your chin might be cute in babies but some children (and adults) continue to struggle with saliva control.
Our team of experienced speech pathologists have worked with many families who navigate the challenges of saliva control (drooling) or “sialorrhea.” It is a topic that can feel confusing, a bit overwhelming, and potentially embarrassing. As a team we have a fantastic resource we often share with parents on this topic from the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) called the “Saliva Book”.
What is the “Saliva Book”?
This guide is a comprehensive, parent-friendly manual designed to help you understand why some children have trouble managing their saliva and what can be done about it. It’s written by a team of experts (including speech pathologists like us, paediatricians, and surgeons) to give you a clear picture of the options available.
Why You’ll Find It Useful
Drooling is often more than just an extra laundry problem; it can affect a child’s skin health, their social confidence, and even their ability to use technology like tablets or communication devices.
The book breaks down the “why” and “how” in simple terms:
- Understanding the Cause: It explains how muscles, senses, and body position all work together to help us swallow.
- Assessment: It walks you through how we, as therapists, measure drooling to figure out the best plan for your child.
- Management Options: This is the most helpful part! It covers everything from:
- Therapy: Tips on posture and mouth exercises.
- Medication: How certain medicines can help “dry up” excess saliva.
- Botox: Information on how injections can provide temporary relief.
- Surgery: A clear look at more permanent options if therapy and medicine aren’t enough.
Our Professional Take
What we love most about this resource is that it doesn’t just offer medical facts; it focuses on the child’s quality of life. It empowers you to have better conversations with your medical team so you can make the best choices for your family.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to help your child with drooling, I highly recommend giving this a read and booking a consultation with our Speech Pathology team.
You can find the full PDF here: The Saliva Book – Royal Children’s Hospital
Knowledge is the first step toward a great management plan.
The team at Therapy Alliance Group are always looking for the best possible management plan to support you and your loved ones!