Key takeaways: Occasional snoring or noisy breathing is common in babies, often from small nasal passages or congestion. Regular loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping, or labored breathing during sleep should be checked. Noisy breathing that gets worse when lying down or crying in the first weeks can be laryngomalacia, which usually improves with time but needs evaluation.
Babies are often noisy sleepers. Here’s when snoring is normal and when to call.
Common, Harmless Causes
- Small nasal passages.
- Mucus or congestion from a cold.
- Milk or spit-up in the nose or throat.
- Dry air.
Saline drops and gentle suction can help.
Laryngomalacia
Laryngomalacia is a common cause of noisy breathing in young babies. Soft tissue above the vocal cords flops inward when breathing in, causing a high-pitched squeaky sound (stridor). It’s often worse when lying on the back, feeding, crying, or excited. Most cases improve on their own by 12 to 18 months, but a doctor should evaluate it, especially if there are feeding problems, poor weight gain, or breathing pauses.
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is less common in babies than older children but can happen. It may be linked to large tonsils or adenoids, a small jaw, low muscle tone, or other conditions.
Possible signs:
- Loud snoring most nights.
- Pauses in breathing.
- Gasping or choking sounds.
- Restless sleep or unusual positions (such as neck extended).
- Poor weight gain.
When to See a Doctor
Talk to your baby’s doctor if your baby:
- Snores loudly most nights.
- Has pauses in breathing or gasps.
- Breathes noisily even when not congested.
- Has feeding problems or poor weight gain.
Call 911 if your baby: stops breathing, turns blue or gray, or is struggling to breathe.
The Bottom Line
Occasional snoring with a cold is common. Regular loud snoring, pauses, or noisy breathing with feeding or growth problems needs evaluation.
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Sources
- American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Laryngomalacia; pediatric sleep apnea. https://www.enthealth.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Noisy breathing and snoring in infants. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
- Marcus CL, Brooks LJ, Draper KA, et al. Diagnosis and management of childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Pediatrics. 2012;130(3):576-584.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
