Does Your Baby Snore?

Every baby is different. They all have their own unique personalities, there own physical traits, and their own developmental progressions. This is never more true than when it comes to the issue of sleep. Some babies sleep soundly through the night after just five or six weeks, while others may struggle with staying asleep into their toddler years. Some babies ask for several nighttime feedings, while other babies are content with just one or two. Some babies experience an occasional pause in their breathing – known as “Periodic Breathing” – where they literally don’t breath for as long as 15 seconds during their sleep.

Some babies even snore.

That’s right. They snore.

If your baby occasionally snores or even makes some sort of snorting noise while she’s asleep, it usually isn’t an area of concern. This is especially true if her snoring or snorting has some sort of a consistent rhythm to it.

There are several reasons that a baby might snore or snort. A baby might snore, for example, when his nose is stuffed up. If he’s got a cold, you can help him out by using a vaporizer or a humidifier. These kinds of products will help make breathing more comfortable for him while he doesn’t feel good.

Allergies can also cause snoring. For a baby that has allergies, there are several things you may be able to do. An air purifier can sometimes help. Keeping pets out of baby’s bedroom can be helpful, too. If your baby has allergies, your doctor may also be able to prescribe some medications to help.

Regular, persistent or recurrent snoring can be indicative of some other problem. If your baby snores intermittently and if that snoring is followed by a gasp, she may have a blocked airway. Her airway could become blocked because of adenoids or tonsils. This kind of a condition is known as “obstructive sleep apnea,” and can cause problems.

If your baby has persistent snoring or snorting, you should talk to his doctor. He can check your baby for problems, or he can refer you to a specialist, whether that’s a sleep specialist or an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor).