Herbie Murray
Newborns are notoriously noisy sleepers, prone to grunting, groaning, wheezing, whining, and even crying in their sleep. While some babies are always noisy sleepers, most of these sleep sounds settle down after the newborn phase ends. So, why is your newborn such a noisy sleeper? There are several reasons, including the fact that newborns have very tiny tummies and need to eat at least every two to four hours, including overnight. They also breathe through their noses, which are tiny, meaning that even a small amount of mucus can cause congestion and noisy breathing. Additionally, newborns are still developing, and their digestive and respiratory systems are not yet fully developed, so swallowing and breathing take extra effort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep cycles | Newborns have short sleep cycles, drifting in and out of sleep |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns spend about half of their sleeping time in REM sleep |
| REM sleep | Newborns are extremely active and noisy during REM sleep |
| Muscle paralysis | Unlike adults, newborns do not experience muscle paralysis during REM sleep |
| Nasal breathing | Newborns breathe through their nose, not their mouth |
| Congestion | Congestion in the nasal passages can cause noisy breathing |
| Laryngomalacia | A floppy airway that causes loud breathing sounds |
| Digestive system | The digestive system is not fully developed, causing noises related to digestion |
| Respiratory system | The respiratory system is not fully developed, causing irregular breathing patterns |
| Development | As newborns develop, their sleep becomes less noisy |
| White noise | White noise can be used to soothe babies and muffle sleep-disturbing sounds |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns have short sleep cycles, so they're constantly entering and exiting sleep
- Babies breathe through their noses, so congestion can cause noisy breathing
- Babies' digestive systems are still developing, so they make noises related to digestion
- Babies' irregular breathing patterns are normal and caused by their brains adjusting
- Laryngomalacia, a condition affecting the voice box, can cause noisy breathing
Newborns have short sleep cycles, so they're constantly entering and exiting sleep
During active sleep, newborns are more easily awoken and do not experience muscle paralysis as adults do during REM sleep. As a result, newborns are extremely active and noisy during this sleep stage. They may laugh, suckle, or even cry out loudly while remaining asleep. Their brain and body are still working hard to learn vital skills like digestion, which can cause them to make grunting sounds, moan, and move around while sleeping.
Additionally, newborns have small nasal passages, so even a tiny bit of mucus or dryness can cause congestion, leading to noisy breathing and sleep noises such as whistling, rattling, and snorting. Their digestive systems are also still developing, which can contribute to gurgling sounds as they may not yet reflexively swallow all their saliva.
As newborns mature, the noises they make while sleeping tend to decrease. By 3-6 months, their sleep cycles become more adult-like, with longer sleep cycles and more time spent in deep sleep. Their digestion also improves, and their airways become bigger, resulting in quieter breathing patterns.
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Babies breathe through their noses, so congestion can cause noisy breathing
Newborns go through two sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, newborns make noises like grunting, moaning, and crying, and even open their eyes, all while they're actually sleeping. This is because their brains and bodies are working hard to learn vital skills like digestion, even when they're asleep.
Babies breathe through their noses, and since their nasal passages are very small, it doesn't take much mucus, breast milk, or formula to migrate to the back of their nasal passages, causing congestion-related sleep noises. This is why newborn congestion is common, even when the baby isn't sick. Their respiratory and digestive systems are still developing, so they're working harder, which can lead to extra sleep sounds. For example, as babies learn to regulate their breathing, their breathing may speed up, slow down, or even pause. This is normal, and their breathing patterns will typically settle down after the newborn phase.
During sleep, babies might make noises like lip-smacking, suckling, and rooting, indicating they will soon wake up hungry. They may also make gurgling sounds due to an immature swallow reflex, which can cause them to regurgitate a small amount of milk. Additionally, babies don't always swallow all their saliva, so when it pools at the back of their mouth and air passes through, it can result in gurgling sounds.
While most sleep noises are normal, some may indicate a concern. For example, grunting at the end of every breath could suggest something is blocking the baby's airway, requiring immediate medical attention. Whistling or wheezing sounds could be caused by dry air or mucus due to the baby's narrow airways. However, these noises are typically not an issue and are common as the baby's lungs are still developing.
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Babies' digestive systems are still developing, so they make noises related to digestion
Newborns are noisy sleepers, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, newborns go through two sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, babies move around, make noises like grunting, moaning, crying, and even open their eyes, all while they're actually sleeping. This is because their brains and bodies are still working hard to learn vital skills like digestion, even when they're asleep.
Additionally, newborns tend to have noisy breathing due to their small nasal passages. Any obstruction, such as mucus or congestion, can make their breathing louder and cause congestion-related sleep noises. This is also related to their developing digestive systems, as the extra work required for digestion can lead to increased sleep sounds.
As your baby's digestion becomes more efficient and their core strengthens, the "farmyard hour" of noisy sleep tends to subside by around 12 weeks. By the time your baby is between 3 and 6 months old, their sleep cycles will start to resemble more adult-like sleep patterns, with longer sleep cycles and fewer sleep-wake disruptions.
If you're concerned about your baby's sleep noises or breathing, it's always best to consult with your paediatrician or healthcare provider.
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Babies' irregular breathing patterns are normal and caused by their brains adjusting
Newborns tend to be noisy sleepers, and this is usually nothing to worry about. Their sleep is unpredictable and restless, and full of unusual sounds. Babies' breathing patterns are irregular, and they may breathe fast, take long pauses between breaths, and make unusual noises. This is because their brains are still adjusting and learning to communicate with the other body systems. During sleep, babies are still learning vital skills such as digestion, and their brains and bodies are working hard to learn these skills.
Newborns tend to breathe more through their nostrils, and their nasal passages are very small. This means that even a small amount of mucus or dried milk can cause the breathing passage to become smaller, leading to congestion and sleep noises such as whistling, snorting, and gurgling. Babies are also learning to regulate their breathing, so you may hear brief periods when their breathing speeds up, slows down, or even pauses altogether. This is normal and usually nothing to worry about.
If you are concerned about your baby's breathing, it is important to learn their typical breathing patterns so you can identify any changes. Take a video of your baby's breathing and show it to a doctor if you are worried. Signs of potentially worrisome breathing problems include a persistently increased rate of breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute), grunting, flaring nostrils, and retracting (the muscles in the baby's chest and neck visibly moving in and out more deeply than usual).
To help soothe your baby and muffle sleep-disturbing sounds, you can use white noise machines that mimic womb sounds. You can also try moving the bassinet farther away or into another room if possible.
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Laryngomalacia, a condition affecting the voice box, can cause noisy breathing
Newborns often have noisy breathing due to their small nasal passages, which can easily become congested. Their respiratory and digestive systems are also still developing, which can lead to unusual sleep sounds. This is all considered normal, and the sleep noises typically lessen after the newborn phase.
However, if you are concerned about your baby's breathing, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional. One condition that can cause noisy breathing in newborns is laryngomalacia, which affects the voice box.
Laryngomalacia is a common condition in newborns, where the tissues above the voice box (larynx) soften and temporarily block the airway. This blockage causes noisy, high-pitched, or squeaky breathing, known as stridor. The condition usually develops during the first few weeks after birth and can worsen over several months. However, it typically resolves on its own by the time a baby turns one or two years old. Most babies with laryngomalacia do not experience breathing or feeding difficulties, but severe cases may require medical intervention.
The symptoms of laryngomalacia include harsh, squeaky sounds when the baby breathes in, and these sounds often become louder when the baby is lying down, sleeping, crying, or feeding. In severe cases, babies with laryngomalacia may experience apnea (long pauses in breathing), aspiration (pulling food into the lungs), cyanosis (bluish skin), difficulty swallowing, and an inability to gain weight. If you notice any of these symptoms in your baby, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns are noisy sleepers because they are learning to regulate their breathing and their digestive and respiratory systems are not fully developed yet. They also breathe primarily through their nose, so even a tiny bit of mucus can cause congestion and noisy breathing.
Noisy breathing and unusual sleep sounds are normal for newborns. However, if you are concerned about your baby's breathing or if they sound congested, you should consult a doctor or pediatrician.
Your baby's sleep noises will likely reduce as they get older and their digestive and respiratory systems become more developed. In the meantime, you can try using white noise to soothe your baby and muffle their sleep noises. You can also try moving your baby farther away from you while they sleep.
