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The fact that newborn snorts in sleep may be quite cute and a tad frightening to new parents. Although such little snorts and grunts may be a scary affair, it is generally normal for early growth. Immediately after birth, their nasal orifices are small, and they are also adapting to life outside the womb; hence, they may breathe noisily when they sleep. So, in this article, we are going to find out why this occurs, when it is a cause of concern and what can be done to ensure that your baby sleeps better and can breathe easier.
What Causes Newborn Snoring? (And What You Can Do About It)
Your baby snoring in sleep or snorting is a bit shocking at first, but it is not something that should cause you to panic. These sounds are usually caused by anything natural and innocent associated with their growing bodies. The following is an explanation of the most frequent causes and ways how you can make your baby breathe and sleep better.
1. Nasal Congestion
Newborns breathe primarily through their noses, so even a small amount of mucus can create a snorting or snoring sound. Their tiny nasal passages are easily blocked, especially in dry environments or during seasonal allergies.
Having your baby's nose cleared carefully can make a huge difference. The Momcozy 2-in-1 Spray & Suction Electric Nasal Aspirator sprays saline mist and uses gentle suction to loosen mucus and suction with ease to help your little one breathe a little easier when they need to, especially before naps and bedtime. You can find a complete collection of tools to help your little one on the Momcozy Nasal Aspirator Collection page.
2. Immature Airway Development
The airway of a newborn is narrow and pliable, and it may vibrate when the newborn sleeps, probably when they are lying flat. It may even sound like snoring or snorting, though it is normal development generally.
A cool mist humidifier may maintain the air of the room so that it is not dry and will not irritate the airway. A small change in the position of your baby when on the back can partially reduce the noise as well.
3. Dry Air or Environmental Irritants
Newborns might have a nasal congestion sound but are not sick because there is something that is irritating them, e.g., pet dander, dust, and dry air that causes inflammation of the nose.
Once your baby still sounds congested, the Momcozy Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirator comes in with its hospital-grade suction, yet gentle enough on the smallest nasal passages- ideal for more stubborn or deep-rooted nasal congestion.
4. Milk Residue or Reflux
There is some chance that milk may travel up into the nasal passages during or following feeding, particularly in babies with reflux. When lying down, it might result in wet snorts or light snoring sounds.
After feeding your baby, keep it in an upright position for at least 20-30 minutes to enable them to digest the food. Clean the nose with a safe aspirator to wash out any milk that may be left to cause the blockage and interfere with sleep.
Consequences of Newborn Snoring
The snorting or snoring that occasionally happens in a newborn is normal, but you should consult your doctor in the event of frequent or deep snoring because it could be a sign of other underlying issues that could affect the health and growth of your child. Some of the effects that you should look out for are as follows:
1. Disturbed Sleep Patterns
Snoring will make your baby wake up frequently, or sleep patterns are reduced, and instead of the baby having the quality sleep that they need, it will be less. The consequences of sleep deprivation could be observed with time, which is related to growth, mood, and daily routine.
2. Breathing Obstruction
When snoring is a result of nasal congestion, inflammation, or anatomical variations, it can disrupt your baby's breathing comfortably particularly when they are lying down on their back. It may lead to sleep disturbance and pain.
3. Feeding Difficulties
During the feeding process, newborns depend very much on nasal breathing. When they partly have congested nasal passages, then they will not coordinate well with breathing and sucking and swallowing, and this may result in short and inefficient feedings.
4. Potential for Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Constant or excessive snoring can be an initial symptom of sleep-disordered breathing, e.g., infant sleep apnea. Occurring at birth and being a rare condition, this condition is associated with stopping breathing in the course of sleeping and may influence oxygen concentration and growth.
5. Parental Anxiety
Parents may obviously be stressed and worried when their frequent snoring or peculiar sleep sounds. It is good to watch out for such sounds, but knowing what is normal and what needs to be watched over can help lower the anxiety.
Newborn Snoring or Laryngomalacia? How to Tell the Difference
When your baby sleeps you might hear a couple of strange noises, and although it is quite typical of newborns to snore, sometimes it may be a more serious condition such as laryngomalacia.
What Is Newborn Snoring?
Snoring in newborns usually sounds like soft snorts, grunts, or whistling noises. It’s often caused by:
- Nasal congestion
- Dry air or irritants
- Immature nasal passages
- Shallow sleep
This type of snoring is generally harmless and tends to improve as your baby grows and their airways develop.
What Is Laryngomalacia?
Laryngomalacia is when the tissue above the vocal cords of a baby is soft and loose, and this tissue collapses in the airway when a baby inhales. It is the most frequent reason for racy breathing in children, and it usually appears during the first couple of weeks of existence.
Common signs of laryngomalacia include:
- A squeak or wheezy sound (stridor) when breathing in.
- Aggravated snoring breathing on flat positions at night, during feeding, when the child is crying or excited.
- Feeding difficulties or slow weight gain in severe cases
- Symptoms that start in the first month and peak around 4–6 months
When Do Newborns Stop Snoring?
The snoring or snorting sound that most newborns make usually clears over time as the airways grow and widen, and this happens between the ages of 3 to 6 months. Their nostrils will also open up, breathing will become slightly easier, and the snoring sound that you can hear when you are asleep will also lessen.
In case your baby snores due to mild nasal blockage or undeveloped airways (as it is rather frequent), in most cases, this issue simply disappears with time. This process could also be accelerated by using a humidifier and keeping the nose clear.
However, loud, high-pitched snoring, which occurs when your baby is awake, or snoring combined with feeding or breathing complications, is likely to be more than snoring (such as laryngomalacia etc.) and should be looked at by a pediatrician.
When to Worry About Newborn Snoring
It’s normal for newborns to snore or snort in their sleep—after all, their airways are tiny and still developing. Most of the time, these sounds are harmless and fade as your baby grows. But in some cases, snoring can be a sign of a bigger issue. Talk to your pediatrician if you notice any of the following:
The snoring is loud, frequent, or doesn’t improve after a few months
Soft snoring is normally not a cause of concern, but when it persists beyond the 6-month mark or increases in intensity, it may be a symptom of a structural problem in the airway or a condition such as laryngomalacia.
Your baby appears to struggle when breathing.
Signs to look out for are a flared nostril, shallow or quick breathing or sinking in of the chest (through the skin on the ribs or neck) on the inhalation. These can be a sign of your baby being overworking on breathing.
Feeding becomes difficult, or weight gain slows.
Infants breathe through their noses during feeding. They might have difficulties eating effectively, thus shorter feeds or slow weight gain, when their nose is often blocked, or their breathing is noisy.
You notice pauses in breathing or a bluish color around the lips or face
Any sign of oxygen deprivation, such as cyanosis (a bluish tint) or apneic episodes (pauses in breathing), is serious and requires immediate medical evaluation.
Other Typical Newborn Sleep Sounds
Newborns are noisy sleepers! As their little bodies adjust to life outside the womb, it's completely normal to hear a variety of sounds during sleep. These include:
- Grunting– Common during active sleep or when passing gas or stool.
- Whimpering or fussing– Light, brief sounds that don't always mean they’re fully awake.
- Snorting– Caused by narrow nasal passages or mild congestion.
- Sighing– A normal way for babies to regulate their breathing.
- Hiccups– Often happen during or after feeding, even while they sleep.
- Startling or jerky movements (Moro reflex)– The movements accompanying this may be accompanied by small squeaks or cries.
The majority of these sounds are absolutely normal, and they belong to the developmental process of your baby. When they are comfortable breathing and feeding, there is usually nothing to be concerned about.
Conclusion
Snorting when sleeping is a normal progression in infants. They are able to produce such cute but weird noises due to tiny airways, clogged noses, or even reflux, and parents shouldn't worry. However, when the sounds are too loud or frequent or accompanied by trouble breathing or troublesome feeding, consult your pediatrician. Trust your instincts—you know your baby best.
