Why Does My Newborn Baby Snore & How to Stop it?

Caring for a newborn baby is enjoyable as well as troublesome. But what bothers more is your little baby snoring, which may appear as if they are making different sounds. New mommies often wonder as to why does my newborn baby snore and how to stop it? While there are various causes you should know, there are some simple measures that can help you stop your newborn baby from snoring.

Snoring in newborns includes sounds of snoring, whistling and snuffling. It may be amusing initially, but if it continues for long, it may be a matter of concern for the parents. Knowing what makes your baby snore can help to avoid those situations and stop snoring. Some simple treatment and preventive measures can help in most cases, while for some, medical advice may be required.

Many infants may snore sometimes but when it continues for a longer time, it needs your attention. The following are the possible causes of snoring in newborns:

• Stuffy nose and blocked nasal passages are the major causes, which makes a newborn baby snore.
• Enlarged adenoids is a common condition which can cause snoring in newborn babies. This may be associated with stuffed nose and affect the overall breathing, which can result in various sounds when sleeping.
• Enlarged tonsils is another important cause due to which the newborn babies may experience an obstruction in the throat. It may be associated with cough, throat irritation and block the nose and throat passages, causing snoring.
• Sleep apnea can also be an indication of the trouble which indicates a sudden stopping and resumption of breath, which can cause newborn babies to snore.
• Laryngomalacia can also result in snoring in newborn. In this condition, the tissue around the voice becomes soft and there is a cartilage, which, in its early form is unable to let the air pass freely, resulting in breathing sounds when sleeping.
• Prematurity can be one of the causes of your newborn baby’s snoring. In case of premature babies, under developed respiratory tract of the baby can result in snoring. This condition is also termed as apnea of prematurity and in this case the baby has to be treated in the hospital till the trouble goes away.

Newborns who snore occasionally may be facing it due to lack of sleep or disturbances in sleep. Some babies, surprisingly snore and when their parents too have had a snoring history, it makes one think if snoring could also be a hereditary habit.

How to stop your newborn baby from snoring largely depends on what causes your newborn baby to snore. If snoring is a result of blocked nose, enlarged adenoids or tonsils or any respiratory tract problems, they must be treated at once. Other causes too need to be managed well to stop your newborn from snoring. Premature babies often need intensive medical care, till they are able to breathe and manage in the normal environment. While medical aid may be required in some cases, simple measures can be helpful to stop snoring in your newborn baby.

Snoring in newborn baby can be treated effectively with saline nasal drops that you need to pour in the blocked nostril. You can also use the nasal applicator that is used to suck out the soft secretion from the nose. This is very effective in cleaning the nose in a safe way. Using the vaporizer is a general remedy which can be used effectively, but with special care for newborn babies.

You may also try the mist vaporizer which keeps the air in the room humid. Dryness in the room can cause more irritation of the nasal passages, hence a room humidifier can help to clear the breathing passages. This allows the baby to breathe in an easy way.

Make sure that you are keeping the surroundings clean and dust-free. Dust particles also cause allergies and can affect the newborn baby in many ways. Pollen, animal dander and other particulate dust must be cleaned properly. Using a vacuum cleaner can help to a great extent to keep the room clean and fresh. Giving a clean and dust free environment to your baby can help to stop snoring, particularly if it is arising out of cold, allergies and other respiratory troubles.

Sleeping on the back often worsen snoring. Holding the baby for some time or keeping the head and neck raised can help to relieve nasal congestion. Changing the position or laying them on their tummies can help to stop snoring in newborn babies. Babies can be placed in slings or kangaroo bags close to their mommies.

If medical help is sought, doctors may recommend monitoring the baby’s sleep and snoring sounds. In order to treat and stop snoring in newborn babies, continuous monitoring with a monitor can be truly helpful. This device measures the heart rate and the respiration rate that can give you warning signs if the snoring reaches dangerous levels, in which case immediate medical help may be required.