If you're a new parent, you might have noticed your baby making snorting, grunting, or congested noises during sleep. It's totally normal, and here's why it happens – along with what you can do about it.
1. Why Newborns Sound Congested:
1-1. Tiny Nasal Passages:
- Newborns have super small nasal passages that can easily sound congested.
- Their airways are still developing, making airflow a bit noisy.
1-2. Nose Breathers:
- Babies prefer breathing through their noses (around 95% of the time).
- This helps them breathe while feeding but can make nasal noises more noticeable.
1-3. Fast Breathers:
- Newborns breathe faster than adults – around 40-60 breaths per minute.
- The rapid, shallow breathing through tiny nasal passages can amplify the sound.
2. What You Can Do:
Check for Blockages:
If there's visible mucus, you can gently clear it.
Saline Drops:
Use saline drops to soften mucus before clearing it with a nasal aspirator.
Humidifier:
A humidifier can keep the air moist and help with dry nasal passages.
Tummy Time:
Encourages mucus drainage and strengthens breathing muscles.
3. When to Worry:
If congestion is paired with fever, difficulty breathing, or feeding issues, check with your pediatrician.
Most nasal noises in newborns fade as they grow, so hang in there! It gets better with time.