YES, noisy breathing in babies is usually NORMAL and not a cause for concern! Newborns have small nasal passages and are "obligate nose breathers," which means they breathe mainly through their nose - leading to all sorts of sounds like grunting, snorting, and whistling. Most noisy breathing resolves on its own as your bachcha grows. However, certain signs like blue lips, extreme distress, or severe difficulty breathing need immediate attention.
Why Babies Breathe Noisily
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Normal Baby Breathing
Why it happens:
Very small nasal passages
Babies breathe through nose (not mouth)
Easily blocked by mucus or milk
Immature airway cartilage
Normal irregular breathing patterns
Normal baby breathing can include:
Occasional snorting (grunting sounds)
Whistling through nose
Noisy breathing during feeds
Sounds louder when sleeping
Periodic irregular breathing (pause then catch up)
Most noisy breathing is completely harmless!
Types of Noisy Breathing
Type
Sound
Usually Means
Stertor
Snoring, snorting
Nasal congestion, normal
Stridor
High-pitched on breathing in
Laryngomalacia (usually harmless)
Wheezing
Musical sound on breathing out
May need evaluation
Grunting
Short grunt sounds
Could be normal or need attention
Normal vs Concerning Noisy Breathing
When It's Usually Normal
Don't worry if:
Baby is feeding well
Weight gain is normal
No color changes (stays pink)
Baby is comfortable, not distressed
No chest retractions
Sounds worse when lying flat but baby is fine
Congestion without fever
Noises come and go
Laryngomalacia (Very Common)
What it is:
Floppy tissue above voice box
Causes high-pitched sound when breathing in
Most common cause of stridor in babies
Usually noticed within first weeks of life
The good news:
Usually harmless!
Sounds worse at 4-6 months
Improves by 12-18 months
Most babies outgrow it completely
Symptoms:
Noisy breathing (like a squeaky sound)
Worse when excited, crying, or feeding
Worse when lying on back
Usually feeding and gaining weight normally
When to Worry (Emergency Signs)
Seek IMMEDIATE Help If:
Color changes:
Blue lips or face (bahut serious!)
Blue fingernails
Pale or grey skin
Breathing difficulty:
Chest retractions (ribs showing with each breath)
Flaring nostrils
Very fast breathing (more than 60/minute in newborn)
Struggling to breathe
Gasping for air
Pauses in breathing more than 20 seconds
Other urgent signs:
Baby refusing to feed
Extreme fussiness, can't be consoled
Fever in baby under 3 months
Very weak or floppy
Drooling excessively (can't swallow)
CALL 108 or go to emergency immediately!
See Doctor Soon If:
Noisy breathing getting worse
Affecting feeding (poor weight gain)
Frequent choking during feeds
Stridor present even at rest
Baby seems uncomfortable
Persistent fever
Symptoms lasting more than a week
Common Causes of Noisy Breathing
Usually Harmless
Cause
What It Is
What to Do
Nasal congestion
Mucus blocking small nasal passages
Saline drops, suction
Laryngomalacia
Floppy airway tissue
Usually resolves by 18 months
Normal newborn breathing
Immature airway
Outgrown in weeks-months
Milk in nose
Reflux or during feeds
Position changes
May Need Attention
Cause
Signs
Action
Cold/Upper respiratory infection
Congestion, runny nose, mild fever
Home care, see doctor if worsening
Allergies
Chronic congestion, sneezing
Identify triggers, consult doctor
Reflux (GERD)
Spitting up, arching, fussy
Positioning, may need medicine
Asthma
Wheezing, cough, family history
Doctor evaluation
Croup
Barking cough, stridor, hoarse cry
Steam, may need doctor
Rare But Serious
Foreign object in airway
Structural abnormalities
Severe infection
Heart problems
These typically have other obvious symptoms and need medical attention
What You Can Do (Ghar Pe Kya Karein)
Clearing Nasal Congestion
Saline drops:
Lay baby on back
Put 2-3 drops saline in each nostril
Wait 30-60 seconds
Gently suction with nasal aspirator
Repeat before feeds and sleep
Available brands: Nasoclear, Otrivin Baby, Sinomarin
Suction:
Use bulb syringe or nasal aspirator
Don't overdo it (irritates nose)
Clean device after each use
Humidity
Helps loosen mucus:
Use cool-mist humidifier in room
Steam in bathroom (NOT near baby - just run hot shower)
Keep air moist, especially in AC
Tip: Clean humidifier regularly to prevent mold
Positioning
For easier breathing:
Elevate head of mattress slightly (put towel under mattress, not under baby)
Hold upright after feeds
Side-lying during supervised awake time
Avoid smoke exposure
When Sleeping
Safe sleep tips:
Always on BACK (even with noisy breathing)
Firm, flat surface
No pillows or blankets
Keep nasal passages clear before sleep
Humidifier in room helps
Home Remedies (Safe for Babies)
Remedy
How to Use
Benefit
Saline drops
Before feeds and sleep
Loosens mucus
Breast milk drops in nose
1-2 drops per nostril
Natural antibodies
Steam exposure
Sit in steamy bathroom (not in steam)
Loosens congestion
Humidifier
In baby's room
Moist air easier to breathe
Upright holding
After feeds
Reduces reflux congestion
Gentle patting on back
When congested
Helps loosen mucus
AVOID: Vicks/vapor rubs on babies under 2 years, essential oils directly
When to See Doctor
Schedule Appointment For:
Noisy breathing lasting more than 2 weeks
Getting progressively worse
Affecting feeding or weight gain
Associated with fever
Baby seems uncomfortable
You're worried (parental instinct matters!)
What Doctor May Do
Evaluation:
Physical examination
Listen to chest
Check oxygen levels
May order X-ray if needed
May refer to ENT specialist
Treatment depends on cause:
Saline and suction for congestion
Medications for reflux
Rarely, surgery for severe laryngomalacia
Prognosis
Most Noisy Breathing Resolves
Timeline:
Simple congestion: Days to weeks
Laryngomalacia: By 12-18 months
Normal newborn sounds: First few months
After cold: Within 1-2 weeks
Your baby will likely outgrow these noises as airways mature!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Newborn baby sote waqt bahut awaaz karta hai. Normal hai?
A: Usually YES! Newborn breathing is naturally noisy because of tiny nasal passages. Normal sounds include: snorting, grunting, whistling, occasional irregular breathing. As long as baby is feeding well, gaining weight, not turning blue, and not in distress - it's usually normal. Sounds often improve by 3-6 months as airways grow. Saline drops help if congested.
Q: Baby ki naak band lagti hai. Kya karun?
A: Very common in babies! Try: saline drops (2-3 drops each nostril) before feeds and sleep, gentle suction with nasal aspirator, humidifier in room, breast milk drops in nose, upright holding after feeds. Don't over-suction (irritates nose). If congestion is with fever, refusing feeds, or very distressed, see doctor. Most congestion clears in few days.
Q: Baby saans lete waqt seeti (whistling) jaisi awaaz karti hai. Kya problem hai?
A: High-pitched sound when breathing IN is often laryngomalacia - floppy tissue above voice box. Very common and usually harmless! Gets worse at 4-6 months then improves. Baby should be feeding well, gaining weight, no blue color. If breathing seems truly difficult, color changes, or affecting feeds, see doctor. Most cases resolve completely by 18 months.
Q: Kab emergency hai aur hospital jana chahiye?
A: EMERGENCY if: blue lips/face/nails, chest pulling in deeply with each breath, very fast breathing, gasping/struggling, baby very limp or unresponsive, can't feed at all, fever in baby under 3 months. Call 108 or go immediately. These signs indicate baby is not getting enough oxygen and needs urgent help.
Q: Baby feeds ke time noisy breathing karti hai aur choke hoti hai. Normal hai?
A: Some noise during feeds is normal, but frequent choking is not. Could be: fast milk flow (position changes help), reflux, or sometimes laryngomalacia. Try: paced feeding, burping frequently, upright position after feeds. If choking regularly, poor weight gain, or baby very distressed during feeds, see doctor. May need evaluation for swallowing or reflux.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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