Source – https://www.babygaga.com/
The leading cause of snoring in infants is a stuffy nose, but there are other reasons that could cause your child to snore. Here they are.
Parenthood, especially for first-time parents, can be tough with a lot of endless things to worry about. There’s already a ton of things that you find yourself anxious over, from the right diapers to buy, to whether your baby is well-fed, to how to fix sleepless nights and constant crying, to whether your little one is achieving their milestones or whether you’re doing enough as a parent while still meeting your own personal goals. Another thing that you may find yourself worrying about is baby snoring. On the surface, these noises may sound unanticipated or even troublesome. So, you’ll often wonder, are these noises normal? Should you rush your baby to the hospital? Continue reading to find out more about baby snoring.
You may be surprised by how something so small can produce such loud, unexpected sounds. However, these snores won’t sound like those of a grown-up. It won’t be that low, grumbly, rough kind of snore. It will sound more like a soft sound. So, it may sound musical, like whistling, bubbling, snorting, or snuffing. These sounds may increase if your baby has nasal allergies or a cold-just like it does for you.
Is Baby Snoring Normal?
For newborns, snoring is completely normal. Newborns have small nasal passages and excessive mucus build-up, which can make them snore. The good thing is that they eventually grow out of it. Usually, babies will breathe noisily, but mainly so when asleep. This breathing usually sounds like a snore and may actually be a snore. No need to worry as these noises are just an indication of a typical benchmark for growth. Snoring in babies is the sound produced when the soft tissues of your little one’s airways vibrate, and it is normally nothing that you need to stress over. There are, however, other factors that may lead to baby snoring.
A Stuffy Nose
The leading cause of snoring is a stuffy nose. Saline drops can quickly clear up nasal blockage. However, this should subside with time, as their nostrils get bigger. Still, there are other reasons why your baby’s nose may be stuffed.
Other Reasons For Your Baby’s Snoring
Loud baby snoring can be caused by a couple of other factors, including:
- Allergies or upper-respiratory infections. Occasional snoring occurs when your baby has the flu, cold, or seasonal allergies. This is because the little one’s nose gets stuffy, forcing him or her to breathe through their mouth, increasing snoring chances.
- A deviated septum. This may be a significantly prevalent occurrence during the first days after the baby is born, occurring in up to 20% of newborns, according to this study. Most newborns will show no symptoms from a deviated septum, and it should go away with time.
- Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea, otherwise known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), is a more serious condition. It is caused by your infant’s airways being narrower than usual, or they get partly closed, mostly because of swollen tonsils or adenoids causing your baby to literally stop breathing for a couple of seconds or longer. An alarm is sounded in the brain, telling her body to begin breathing again. So, she will gag or snort, wake up for a while and begin to breathe again. Such cycles of disruptions in sleep can prevent your baby from getting adequate sleep.
- Inflated adenoids or tonsils. These structures are intended to protect your baby from infection. They do this by trapping inhaled bacteria and viruses. However, in the process of doing so, they could get infected and swell, blocking airflow as the baby sleeps.
What Are The Remedies For Baby Snoring?
- Nasal Aspirator – You can use an aspirator to suction the excess mucus out. While it may seem gross, it will easily clear your baby’s breathing.
- Nasal Spray – Once your pediatrician gives the go-ahead, you can get a nasal spray to open up your little one’s nasal passages, helping her breathe easier. Alternatively, you can purchase an over-the-counter spray approved for infants in most pharmacies.
- A Humidifier – Humidifying the air in your baby’s room using a humidifier or warm mist vaporizer will help reduce the snoring. Identically, you can loosen the secretions by giving your baby a warm shower or bath, allowing your little one to sleep better.
- Sleeping Position – The position in which your baby sleeps may cause snoring. Sleeping on the back or stomach will most likely cause snoring. However, sleeping on the side can be dangerous for babies. Not unless they can sleep on the side naturally. So, you can elevate her head using a pillow, depending on their age. Alternatively, you can wait it out! Just let your toddler sleep on her back even though it causes a little snoring.
When Should I Visit A Doctor?
There’s no need to visit a doctor if your baby snores for a couple of days when sick and experiencing a stuffy nose or congestion. However, if your baby snores excessively, to the point where they cannot sleep, it’s advisable that you visit their pediatrician. However, most cases of baby snoring just go away on their own.