Newborn Snoring: Causes and Solutions for Healthy Sleep

When you become a parent, you find yourself oscillating between feelings of joy and worry. You love holding your little bundle of happiness in your hands and find yourself constantly fretting over his well-being as well.

It is especially true for first-time parents who do not have much experience with kids. They keep wondering if what they are doing is right or wrong at every step. They worry about why their baby is sick, whether or not his behaviour is normal, so on and so forth. One such thing that can keep new parents up at night is the habit of baby's snoring. The question that arise in the mind of new parents is, Do newborns snore? Let's discuss this in detail.

Do babies Snore?

When discussing the topic of snoring, an interesting question often arises: Do newborns snore? While it's less common in infants, but newborns can occasionally snore due to immature breathing pathways or slight nasal congestion. If your baby snoring in sleep regularly, you might get worried. But you should know that it is not normal for newborns to snore. One in every ten children is prone to snoring. It generally happens because, in newborns, the nasal passages are tiny. As a result, the slightest bit of dryness or extra mucus in nostrils can make them breathe heavily. Besides, the muscles in the baby’s throat relax when they are in a deep sleep. The noise that they emanate as a result can sound like snoring. 

Can Newborns snoring be indicative of a disease?

As children grow older, their airway enlarges, and they stop snoring. However, if that does not happen, then the following causes can be responsible for baby snoring:

1. Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a condition that can affect babies younger than a year. The problem can be defined as a health issue where breathing stops and starts involuntarily. Enlarged tonsils are a risk factor for sleep apnea. The condition is a sleep-related breathing disorder where the infant pauses breathing, gasps for air, chokes, and snorts, awakening them from their sleep.

2. Deviated Septum: The nasal septum that divides the nasal cavity into two can deviate from the Centre in little ones. Because of this, one nostril can become larger than the other. The condition is not ideal and can lead to other problems like sinus infection, snoring, loud noise during breathing, and a blocked nose.

3. Stuffy Nose: One of the most common reasons for snoring in babies is a stuffy nose. When a kid has it due to cold or nasal blockages, he may breathe through his mouth. Nasal congestion might also cause him to breathe loudly while he is asleep.

4. Asthma: It has been observed that babies prone to snoring are more likely to have asthma. In some kids, it can happen as a result of allergies.

5. Throat problems: Some newborn babies develop throat problems in their early years. The irregular movement of the palate that separates the oral and nasal cavity can lead to snoring. Cysts can also be the reason behind loud wheezing in little ones.

6. Apnea of prematurity: Babies who are born prematurely, usually within 34 weeks of pregnancy, can develop this problem. The little ones are prone to breathing issues because of their immature respiratory systems.

7. Heart / Throat / Lung Problem: If your baby snoring in sleep every night and is not gaining weight as he grows, then the reason behind these issues can be a problem with their heart, throat, or lung.

What are some side effects of Baby snoring?

If your baby continues snoring for a long time, then here are some side effects that you must be wary of:

• Poor memory
• Anxiety or irritability problems
• Nightmares
• Low levels of activity
• Poor weight gain
• Bedwetting
• Stunted social development
• Obesity
  
  

When to visit your doctor?

If your baby snores, it might take some time to resolve the issue. During this time, you should oversee your little one and contact your doctor in the following cases:

• If your baby snoring and stops inhaling and exhaling, even for a little while, then you must take him to the doctor. It is so because erratic breathing can adversely impact your kid’s internal organs.
• If your kid is snoring or snorting regularly, and this goes on for weeks, then you should consult a pediatrician.
• Kids should not snore loudly. So, if your baby snoring, making loud and shrill wheezing sounds, then it might be a matter of concern. In this case, you should consult your doctor to see what is happening.
• If your kid is snoring habitually, he might not be able to sleep properly. In this case, you should seek help as not sleeping well can affect your baby’s health.

Snoring in kids is not unusual and is rarely a result of a serious health condition. A stuffy nose or dryness are main causes of snoring in newborn. However, if your baby is snoring loudly week after week and developing additional symptoms, it is advised to see your doctor to ensure everything is well.

Disclaimer: The article is just suggestive of the problems that can occur and tends to make no claims. Do visit a healthcare specialist before reaching to any conclusions.