Is Your Baby’s Noisy Breathing Normal? When to Worry

Understand why your newborn or infant sounds like a tiny freight train—and how to spot breathing red-flags that need a doctor’s attention.

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Take-home highlights
-Normal “noisy” sounds: snorts, grunts, hiccups, periodic breathing, and milk-gurgles after feeds

-Why babies breathe louder than adults (tiny nasal passages, more floppy airway tissue)

-Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore—flaring nostrils, chest retractions, belly tugging, persistent grunting, blue lips or skin, fast breathing (more than 60 breaths/min); true "stridor" (whistling) should also always be evaluated!

-Common culprits: nasal congestion, laryngomalacia, reflux, viral infections (RSV, bronchiolitis)

-Easy home tips: upright feeds, saline + gentle suction, cool-mist humidifier, safe-sleep positioning

Helpful links
• AAP Safe Sleep: https://www.healthychildren.org/Engli...

• How to use saline & suction: https://www.healthychildren.org/Engli...

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro & why babies sound noisy
00:26 Anatomy: small noses, floppy tissue
02:00 Noisy-but-normal breathing examples - congested / snuffly
03:39 What is reflux?
04:59 What is stertor?
06:24 Stridor - most commonly laryngomalacia and croup!
10:12 How do pediatricians decide when something needs to be done?

This video is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. If you’re ever worried about your child’s breathing, seek professional care right away.