Have you ever heard of the phrase “sleep like a baby?” Spoiler alert – most babies do everything but sleep at night. In fact, during the first few weeks of life, they make a lot of strange noises when they’re catching some Z’s. There’s crying, gurgling and burping, but one sound that puzzles a lot of parents is grunting. We asked nationally recognized Cleveland area pediatrician, Dr. Arthur Lavin why babies grunt and if it is any cause for concern.
Understanding noises
Lavin says it is important to understand that vocalizations are abundant in newborns. They make a lot of noises during times of activity (swallowing, hiccupping), to express themselves (crying) and when they’re in distress (choking). Because newborns cannot talk using words and sentences, they communicate using sound.
“It is very helpful to know that all newborns are very noisy,” he says. “If you don’t know that, all that noise could be worrisome, so it is reassuring to know.”
Passing stool
One primary reason that babies grunt is when they are passing stool. Pooping is a learned reflex that requires muscle coordination. To pass stool, one must
relax the pelvic floor and use abdominal pressure to move it through their system.
“A newborn’s stomach muscles are not
yet strong enough to do this, so they use their diaphragm to move their bowel,” Lavin says. “This puts pressure on the voice box, generating a grunt.”
Lavin says it is important to note that grunting is not a sign of constipation.
Acid reflux
Acid reflux occurs when a baby spits up liquid or food. It happens when stomach contents move back up from a baby’s stomach into the esophagus.
“In about 10 percent of babies, it burns when it comes up,” Lavin says. “The grunting sound may simply be a normal reaction to this heartburn.”
Blocked nasal passages
Because babies have narrow noses and lungs, their nasal passage is typically noisy. But when mucus collects in these narrow nasal passages, grunting could indicate that their nose is congested.
As such, Lavin suggests using a nasal aspirator to clear their airways and help them breathe more easily.
Signs of illness
Lavin says that in most instances of grunting, there is no need to panic. If you do have concerns, contact your pediatrician.
“Babies are noisy. Noise is ok, struggle is not,” he says. “That’s the big dividing line. If they look like they are working really hard to get air in and out, then they need medical attention.”
