Why Does a Baby Grunt
They might wake multiple times, or be almost awake throughout the night or nap time. Grunting is a normal sound for your baby to make during sleep, along with gurgles, squeaks, and snores.
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Worry If Your Baby Makes Noises While Sleeping
We’re gonna go ahead and say it: Anyone who claims they “slept like a baby last night” has never actually slept near a human baby. Baby sleep, especially in the newborn months, isn’t close to being deep, peaceful, or quiet. It’s unpredictable and restless and full of unusual sounds.
If you’re a new parent, all of this nighttime commotion is stressful. Are you supposed to be checking baby’s breathing every time it slows down or speeds up? You weren’t expecting to get a ton of sleep after they were born, but you thought you might be able to get, you know, like… some. Maybe just an hour or two?
If you’re worrying about every little peep your baby makes while they drift away into dreamland, let us stop you right there. Almost all of these noises are normal and can be totally ignored. Here’s how to rest easy while baby’s sleeping — or at least as easy as you can with a newborn in the house.
Listening to your baby sleep is like downloading a playlist of EMDR sounds. There are gurgles and grunts, whines, and squeals. Don’t stress if you hear baby make any of the following (totally normal) noises. Just roll over and go back to sleep.
Regular breathing
In and out, in and out. You know what this sounds like! Your baby’s regular breathing sounds may be short and sweet, almost like soft panting, but that’s OK. You may also catch a few dreamy sighs. (We’ll wait while you squeal from the cuteness.).
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Irregular breathing
Yes, we did put irregular breathing sounds under the “normal” category. That’s because for newborns, irregular breathing is normal. Your baby’s lungs aren’t quite firing on all cylinders yet (or, more accurately, their brain is still figuring out how to talk to the other body systems).
While baby learns to regulate their breathing, there will be short periods of time when their breathing speeds up, slows down, or even pauses altogether.
As long as these periods of time are fairly short — think seconds, not minutes — your baby doesn’t show signs of distress, and their breathing pattern goes back to normal, you can chalk this up to your baby’s growth and development instead of a cause for concern.
Digestive sounds
We don’t need to remind you that your baby is eating and pooping around the clock, but that means their digestive system is working 24-7, too. You might hear their tummy rumbling or gurgling, or they may even burp or pass gas in their sleep.
Respiratory sounds
There’s actually a wide range of “normal” when it comes to the sounds your baby’s respiratory system might make while they’re asleep. You’ve probably been programmed to react with panic to whistling or wheezing sounds in your baby, but truthfully, these noises are typically not an issue while your child is sleeping.
Babies’ airways are narrow, so dry air or even the slightest bit of mucus can cause whistling, rattling, or wheezing sounds while they sleep. Acid reflux or even all that milk-chugging can clog their throat and cause uneven breathing sounds as well.
It’s also normal for baby to cough or sneeze while sleeping for these same reasons. Unless they’re showing other signs of illness, don’t worry.
Feeding noises
Yup, your little vampire baby is always hungry, even if they’re asleep and just ate 10 minutes ago. You might overhear lots of lip-smacking, suckling, and rooting noises while your little one is dozing. Take it as a sign that they’ll probably be waking up soon and will want to be fed ASAP.
Other vocalizations
If this seems like a lot of noises for your baby to make in their sleep, it’s honestly not even the half of it. Babies cry, whimper, and whine; they groan and grunt; they hiccup and laugh.
Blame gas, blame dreams, blame their insatiable need to be close to you at all times. Whatever the reason, babies are rarely ever settled during periods of sleep.
Why Does a Baby Grunt?
From newborns to toddlers, babies can make grunting sounds at different times of day and night. Some parents worry these sounds are a sign of something to be concerned about. The good news is, most of the time, your baby’s grunting is perfectly normal.
When Should Babies Grunt?
During sleep. As soon as they are born, babies make all sorts of sounds while they are sleeping. Their sleep is often restless. Your baby may sometimes sleep soundly through loud sounds, but they can also be restless.
They might wake multiple times, or be almost awake throughout the night or nap time. Grunting is a normal sound for your baby to make during sleep, along with gurgles, squeaks, and snores.
Most of these sounds are completely normal and do not indicate any health or breathing problems. To lower the risk of any breathing issues during sleep make sure:
- Your baby’s clothes are loose, but not too loose
- Your baby is not too hot or cold
- There is nothing in their crib but a fitted sheet
- They are swaddled or in a warm sleeping garment, not warmed by blankets
- Your baby is on their back
- The crib mattress is firm, not soft.
If they are constipated. Babies often have a little trouble going to the bathroom. When you stand up, gravity helps feces leave your body. Babies are often laying horizontal, so it can be harder for them. Your baby may grunt and get red in the face when they are trying to push out a troublesome bowel movement.
How do you know if your baby is constipated? If they have hard bowel movements with the consistency of a pebble, or if they cry every time they make a mess in their diaper, they may be constipated. Never give your baby laxatives or enemas unless directed by a doctor. If your baby is constipated, ask your pediatrician for advice. They may advise you to give them more water or fruit juice.
If your baby is constipated and has a fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, or a bloated belly, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Mucus in the nose and nasal passages. Your baby has a small nose and nasal passage. They mostly breathe through their noses because it makes feeding easier. Newborns also often have a lot of mucus. This is not due to any illness, but simply because their respiratory systems are still developing.
It is very easy for their tiny nose or nasal passage to get blocked, leading to strange noises, coughs, and sneezes. Help your baby clear their nasal passage by wiping their nose, using a nasal aspirator, or using a saline nasal rinse made for babies.
If your baby is grunting with every single breath, then contact a doctor immediately.
Acid reflux. Some babies get acid reflux. This can cause gurgling and grunting sounds during digestion. The muscles of your baby’s digestive system are still developing, so the muscle between the stomach and esophagus doesn’t always remain closed properly. Many baby behaviors such as lying horizontally most of the time contribute to this condition.
Most cases of infant acid reflux are completely normal. Spitting up is a result of this condition. Almost all babies spit up once in a while. In rare cases, infant reflux can be a sign of something more serious, especially when it is paired with any of the following symptoms:
- Failure to gain weight
- Frequent forceful vomiting
- Spit up is green, yellow, red (blood-like), or brown
- Won’t eat
- Has blood in their stool or diaper
If your baby spits up a lot, makes lots of grunting and gurgling sounds after eating, and has any of these symptoms, consult your pediatrician for advice.
When to Contact a Doctor
Most baby grunting is completely normal. It can be part of normal digestion, sleep, or just your baby exploring or discovering their voice.
However, you may want to contact a doctor for advice if your baby:
- Has a fever
- Appears bluish
- Is lethargic
- Has breathing that pauses for more than a few seconds
- Is breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute
- Grunts with each breath
Show Sources
Edward-Elmhurst HEALTH: “Is my newborn normal?”
HealthyWA: “Sleep 0 – 3 months.”
KidsHealth: “How Can I Tell if My Baby Is Constipated?”
Mayo Clinic: “Infant reflux.”
Safe Sleep ACADEMY: “What can I put in the crib?”
verywell family: “What to Know About Your Baby’s Sleep Sounds.”
