Herbie Murray
Newborns make a variety of noises while sleeping, and snoring is one of them. While occasional soft snoring is usually not a cause for concern, loud and persistent snoring could indicate an underlying medical condition such as sleep apnea. If you notice persistent snoring or other symptoms, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician or a pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT) specialist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occurrence of snoring in infants | 3% to 9% of infants snore regularly by the age of 3 months |
| Occurrence of snoring in children | 10% to 20% of children snore |
| Cause of snoring | Relaxed muscles in the upper airway, which can obstruct the airway and cause air to vibrate as it passes through |
| Cause of loud snoring | Congestion from upper respiratory tract infections or allergies |
| Cause of snoring in newborns | Laryngomalacia, a condition that causes the voice box to collapse when breathing in |
| Cause of snoring in older children | Family history of sleep apnea |
| Signs of sleep apnea | Snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, mouth breathing, night sweats, and bedwetting |
| When to consult a doctor | If snoring is loud and persistent, or if there are other symptoms of sleep apnea |
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What You'll Learn
Occasional snoring is normal
It is normal for newborns to make a lot of noise while sleeping. Occasional soft snoring is common in children and is not a cause for concern. According to Dr. Pranshu Adavadkar, a sleep physician, "occasional snoring is normal and not a cause for concern, but if the snoring becomes loud and persistent, it could be a sign of sleep apnea." Sleep apnea is a rare condition in newborns that requires treatment by a health professional.
Primary snoring is caused by congestion or a level of congestion from upper respiratory tract infections or allergies, which can cause snoring by getting in the way of the air moving. This type of snoring is usually not a cause for concern.
Laryngomalacia is an abnormality that occurs at birth or within the first two weeks after birth, causing the voice box to collapse when the baby breathes in, resulting in noisy breathing that may sound like snoring. While this condition can be confused with newborn snoring, it is more serious and requires medical attention.
Several sounds that a newborn might make while sleeping can be easily confused with snoring. Wheezing, for example, is a musical sound that can occur when inhaling or exhaling, while rhonchi are similar but usually lower-pitched. Crackles are another type of sound that infants with lower respiratory infections and other lung conditions may make, and often require medical attention.
If you are concerned about your baby's snoring or breathing, it is always best to consult a pediatrician or a sleep physician.
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Sleep apnea
While snoring is a common occurrence in newborns, it is important to distinguish whether it is a harmless noise or a symptom of a more serious condition such as sleep apnea.
Signs of sleep apnea include snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, mouth breathing, night sweats, and bedwetting. If sleep apnea is suspected, it is recommended that parents consult a pediatrician or a pediatric otolaryngologist to determine the best course of treatment. Treatment options may include surgery, allergy medications, or nasal steroids.
It is important to note that newborn snoring is often harmless and may be caused by factors such as a dry house, mucus after birth, or the baby's sleeping position. However, if a baby is snoring frequently or exhibiting signs of sleep apnea, it is crucial to seek medical advice to rule out any underlying conditions.
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Laryngomalacia
While snoring is a common occurrence in newborns, it is important to distinguish whether it is simple snoring or a symptom of a more serious condition. Laryngomalacia (LM) is a congenital softening of the tissues of the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords. It is the most common birth defect of the voice box and the most frequent cause of noisy breathing in infants, affecting approximately 3% to 9% of infants by 3 months of age.
The exact cause of laryngomalacia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the relaxation or lack of muscle tone in the upper airway. It is often diagnosed through a clinical examination and flexible laryngoscopy, which involves inserting a lighted tube through the nose or mouth to examine the voice box. In some cases, a nasopharyngolaryngoscopy (NPL) or a gastric reflux test may also be recommended to evaluate the extent of the condition and check for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is commonly associated with laryngomalacia.
While most cases of laryngomalacia resolve without treatment by the time a child reaches 18 to 20 months of age, it is important to seek medical advice if you suspect your child has this condition. Severe cases may require medication or surgery, such as supraglottoplasty or tracheotomy, to alleviate symptoms and ensure proper breathing and growth.
In summary, while occasional soft snoring is normal for newborns, persistent and loud snoring could be a sign of laryngomalacia or other medical conditions. If you are concerned about your child's snoring, it is always best to consult with a pediatrician or a sleep physician to ensure your child's health and well-being.
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Primary snoring
Newborns make a lot of noise, and it can be difficult to distinguish snoring from other breathing sounds. Snoring is a raspy sound that occurs when the soft tissues of the throat relax and cover the airway, causing the tissue to vibrate as air passes through. While occasional soft snoring is common and not a cause for concern, it's important to monitor your baby's snoring and breathing patterns.
One condition that can cause snoring in newborns is laryngomalacia, which affects the voice box and results in noisy breathing that may sound like snoring. This condition usually resolves on its own by 20 months of age, but it's important to seek medical advice if you suspect your newborn may have it.
Another potential cause of snoring is sleep apnea, which is rare in newborns but can lead to growth problems if left untreated. If your infant snores three or more nights per week or exhibits symptoms of sleep apnea, such as gasping or choking, it's crucial to consult a pediatrician.
To alleviate snoring caused by nasal congestion, you can try using saline drops to clear nasal blockages. Running a humidifier in your baby's room can also help add moisture to the air and improve breathing. While it's recommended to place your baby on their back to sleep, snoring may be worse in this position, so you can try placing them on their side if they are over one year old and can roll over independently.
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When to seek medical help
While snoring in newborns is generally normal, there are some instances where you should seek medical help.
Firstly, if your baby is snoring frequently, it is important to consult a pediatrician to rule out any underlying medical conditions, such as sleep apnea or laryngomalacia. Sleep apnea in newborns is rare, but it requires treatment by a health professional to prevent potential growth problems. Laryngomalacia is a condition present at birth that causes a softening of the tissues of the voice box, resulting in a high-pitched monotone sound during breathing. While it usually resolves on its own by 20 months of age, it is crucial to seek medical advice if you suspect your newborn has this condition.
Secondly, if your baby exhibits other symptoms in addition to snoring, it could indicate a more serious issue. According to Dr. Thomas M. Seman, a Massachusetts-based board-certified pediatrician, parents should be concerned if their child is a habitual mouth breather, has poor eating habits, or fails to gain weight adequately. These issues could signal significant mouth, throat, lung, or cardiac problems.
Additionally, if your baby's snoring is accompanied by other types of labored breathing, such as wheezing or crackling sounds, it may be a sign of respiratory infections or other lung conditions that require medical attention.
Furthermore, if your newborn snores and also has periods of apnea, or prolonged pauses in breathing followed by gasping or choking, it could indicate central or obstructive sleep apnea. This condition can impede proper sleep and cause sleep deprivation, which is detrimental to their growth and development.
Lastly, if the snoring is persistent and loud, it could be a red flag for obstructive sleep apnea. Consult a pediatrician if your infant snores three or more nights per week or displays other symptoms of sleep apnea. They will be able to provide guidance and perform the necessary examinations or sleep studies.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns make many different noises when they breathe, and occasional soft snoring is normal and not a cause for concern. However, if the snoring is persistent and loud, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes prolonged partial or off-and-on complete airway obstruction that can make breathing laboured while sleeping. Signs of sleep apnea include snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, mouth breathing, night sweats and bedwetting.
If you think your newborn has sleep apnea, you should consult a pediatrician, who may refer you to a pediatric otolaryngology (ENT) specialist.
Your newborn could be snoring because of a blocked nose or dry air.
Several sounds a newborn might make while sleeping are particularly easy to confuse with snoring. Wheezing is a musical sound that can occur when inhaling or exhaling, whereas rhonchi are similar but usually lower-pitched.
