Your child is sleeping solidly, but suddenly you hear a strange noise. A soft moan, a grunt, or even some lip-smacking. What is going on? Is your baby okay? Don’t worry: all these noises – no matter how strange they may sound – are usually very normal. In this blog, you will discover why your child makes noises while sleeping, what causes it and what you can possibly do about it.
Why do newborns grunt in their sleep?
Babies don’t always sleep quietly. Noises such as moaning, grunting or sighing are part of their natural sleep cycle. There are a number of common reasons for these noises. We have listed a few for you here.
- Development of the breathing apparatus
Babies are still learning how to regulate their breathing. Their airways are still small and sensitive, which may cause them to snort or to make soft growling noises in their sleep. - Active sleep (REM phase)
In the first few months, babies spend a lot of time in a light, active sleep phase. During this phase, they move about a bit more and may make noises. These noises can sound like groaning, laughter or even screaming. They are not a cause for concern: your child has simply fallen into a superficial sleep. - Processing of stimuli
A newborn baby has to process an enormous amount of new impressions. Sleep sounds can be a sign that your child is processing a host of experiences gained in the course of the day. - Intestinal cramps (colics) or reflux
Sometimes noises can also indicate something physical, such as intestinal cramps. Babies often press on their bellies or make small moaning noises to relieve discomfort.
Situations where you should pay attention
In most cases, sleeping noises are normal and harmless. But there are a few situations in which you should pay attention:
- When your little one is wheezing or has visible trouble breathing.
- When your baby’s chest retracts during breathing or when its nostrils flare conspicuously while breathing.
- Your baby’s skin, lips or tongue turn blue.
When in doubt, always consult a physician.
What can you do when your baby makes a lot of noise while sleeping?
In most cases, you don’t have to do anything at all. Your baby is asleep, and making sounds is part of it. Still, there are a few things that can help if your child moves about a lot and wakes up from those movements:
- Wait a minute before you intervene
Do you hear a noise? Wait a moment and see if your little one calms down again. Often your child is not properly awake at all, even though it may sound like it. - Swaddling
Babies who move a lot in their sleep or are anxious in their sleep may benefit from swaddling. This makes them feel safe and keeps them from waking up when they are moving their arms or legs. - White noise
The constant sound of white noise may be soothing. It helps your child to transition from a light sleep to a deeper sleep. Are you aware that white noise sounds a lot like the soft buzzing in the womb? That is why your baby experiences this sound as particularly familiar.
Will my newborn ever stop grunting in his or her sleep?
Yes, in most cases, babies stop making noises in their sleep sooner or later, all by themselves. As your child gets older, the sleep cycle continues to develop and the periods of light sleep decrease. Around the age of four months – when your baby’s biological clock begins to develop – your baby makes less and less noises in its sleep. Tip: In The Wonder Weeks app, you can read more about the different leaps your baby is going through and how they can affect your baby’s sleep.
Read more about the sleep rhythm of a newborn child.
Trust your body
Although your baby’s noises may sound a bit strange at times, take comfort from the knowledge that it usually part of normal development. Enjoy those cute groans, growls and sighs – it’s all a sign that your baby is having a wonderful dream.
Stay calm and listen attentively to your little one. And remember: every sound, no matter how strange, is part of the adventure of parenting.
