As a new parent, you'll focus a lot on your baby's sleep— creating a safe bedroom environment, getting them to snooze through the night, and waking for midnight feedings. You might also question the strange (and sometimes alarming) noises that come from the crib. But here's the good news: Sleep noises in babies are completely normal, and they're rarely cause for concern.
Here, we break down the reasons behind various baby sleep noises, including moaning, grunting, hiccuping, gurgling, cooing, and snorting. We also explain when to seek medical care for nighttime sounds. Hopefully this guide can put your mind at ease so that you, too, can get some much-needed rest.
Newborn Sleep: What to Expect Between Birth and 3 Months
When to Expect Baby Sleep Noises
Babies and toddlers can be noisy sleepers at any age. It's just a fact of life that some people are louder sleepers than others. That said, nighttime noises tend to be most noticeable during first several months of life—partly because your baby's digestive and respiratory systems are still developing.
Here are some factors that contribute to baby noises in sleep:
Babies are still learning to regulate their breathing, which can lead to strange soundsNewborns breathe through their noses, and their tiny nasal passages tend to get congested easilyTheir digestive system is also developing, so babies tend to make noise if they're hungry, passing gas, or having a bowel movementInfants have short sleep cycles so they're constantly transitioning between stages of wakefulness Babies experience more REM sleep than adults; REM sleep is associated with irregular breathing, twitchiness, and eyes moving under their eyelids
You can expect baby sleep noises to lessen once they're approximately 4 to 6 months old, thanks to improved development and maturing sleep cycles. Most baby sleep noises should stop entirely by the end of the first year, though some kids will still be naturally louder during their slumber.
5 Common Baby Sleep Issues and Their Solutions
What Sounds Do Babies Make While Sleeping?
It's hard to believe those grunts, moans, and snuffles are coming from your tiny sleeping infant. But many young babies can be noisy during both naps and overnight sleep. Here are a few common baby sleep noises you might hear, plus the reasons behind them.
Irregular breathing
While your baby is sleeping, you may notice small periods of irregular breathing (faster, slower, whistling, or paused). They're still learning to regulate their respiratory system, and they're dealing with narrow airways, so this is usually no reason for alarm. Irregular breathing with pauses (5 to 10 seconds each) can also happen during REM sleep in babies, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If they don't appear distressed or bothered, and they're not working hard to breathe, there's no reason for concern.
Moaning
Babies might moan during the transition between different stages of sleep. You can blame the natural disruptions that occur as babies establish a consistent sleep rhythm, and it isn't cause for concern. In fact, those minor sleep disruptions are needed for your baby to learn how to soothe themselves back to sleep after waking in the night.
Gurgling
While moaning and sighing are cute baby sleep noises, gurgling might not be so adorable—and it can be downright alarming for parents. But rest assured that in most cases, your little one isn't choking in their sleep, which is how it can sound.
So what's the actual reason behind baby gurgling during sleep? “Their swallow reflexes are not fully developed, so they may gurgle up some milk or even some of their own saliva while sleeping,” says Andrew Celandine, MD, a board-certified pediatrician based in Massachusetts.
Rattling or whistlinig
Excess mucus, combined with nose breathing and narrow airways, can lead to rattling or whistling sounds. Babies usually outgrow these noises by 6 months, but in the meantime, consider clearing congestion with a saline spray and nasal aspirator.
Grunting
Grunting helps babies regulate their breathing and maintain a steady supply of oxygen through the night. This baby sleep noise is also associated with having a bowel movement.
Snorting
Snorting is a sound made in the back of the baby's throat. Babies mostly breathe through their nose, so snorting is common as they're learning how to coordinate breathing and swallowing, says Dr. Celandine. Their narrow nasal passages also play a role.
“Some snorting (especially if you notice it during both the day and night, while awake and asleep) could be caused by other factors, like immature muscles in the throat, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, allergies, colds or some facial abnormalities,” says Dr. Celandine.
Hiccuping
Just like adults, babies might hiccup due to involuntary diaphragm contractions. This often happens if they eat or drink too quickly before lying down. Hiccups usually subside within minutes, and they're generally nothing to worry about unless they persist or cause discomfort for the baby.
Is It Laryngomalacia?
Laryngomalacia happens when babies are born with floppy larynx tissue, which can partially obstruct their airway and cause loud breathing. In most cases, laryngomalacia resolves on its own, but bring up any concerns with your child's health care provider.
Crying out
Some babies may occasionally cry out during the night, and it's usually due to discomfort or hunger. In other cases, a baby might cry because they've not yet learned how to soothe themselves to sleep during transitions.
Stomach rumbling
Your baby's digestive system is still maturing, and this can cause rumbling or gurgling sounds during sleep. Usually it's a sign your baby is farting, pooping, or digesting their last meal.
Lip smacking and sucking
Lip smacking or sucking sounds are also common at nighttime. These baby sleep noises usually indicate hunger—so be prepared for a feeding session in the near future.
An Age-by-Age Guide to Sleep Training
When to Worry About Sleep Sounds in Babies
You don't normally need to worry about babies making noise while sleeping. But when it comes to newborns, you should never hesitate to consult your physician for any questions or concerns, says Dr. Celandine.
Here are some situations that warrant emergency help right away, as they could indicaterespiratory syncytial virus(RSV), respiratory distress, or another health concern:
Labored or rapid breathing ("Look for things like flared nostrils or pulling muscles around the neck, or if they're moaning/grunting at the end of a breath," says Dr. Celandine.)WheezingGrunting after each breathBlue or dusky color of the face, lips, or bodyAbnormal sounds associated with a fever or other systemic symptoms such as vomitingChest retractions and/or flared nostrilsPauses in breathing that last longer than normal
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