Key Notes
- It isn’t always a point of concern when your newborn baby snores
- Keep track of your child's snoring; once the snoring becomes regular and the snoring sounds increase to an unusual level it’s time to take things seriously
- Always consult your child's pediatrician before taking any step to cure your child's snoring issues
If your newborn is still in the hospital or has another medical condition that causes them sleep apnea, then they may need breathing treatments or surgery.
However, if your baby seems healthy and their snores are becoming disruptive at night-time, there are some things you can do to help them out!
Why Do Newborn Babies Snore?
There can be many different reasons to why, newborn babies snore. The most common reason is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. These are the glands that help to fight off infections, but when they become overactive your baby will snore much more than usual.
Babies can also have allergies or nasal congestion due to a cold that causes them to snore very badly at night-time. Some reasons for snoring in babies include;
- Allergies
- Large tonsils
- Infection
- Congestion
- Asthma
- Sleep apnea
- Deviated septum
When Does Snoring Become a Problem?
We have already mentioned that snoring in babies isn’t always a bad thing however in some cases, it can be a sign of an underlying health condition. So when should you be concerned about your baby’s snoring; let’s take a look.
- They have been regularly snoring for a few weeks now
- The snoring is very loud
- Your child gasps a lot while sleeping
- The child sleeps with mouth open
These are some of the major signs that show that your child is snoring because he or she is suffering from a medical condition.
Some Things You Can Do To Help!
As a new parent you might get concerned if your new born baby is snoring a lot but you should know that in most of the cases it isn’t anything dangerous however there are certain steps that you can take in order to help your child’s snoring issues.
1) Consult Your Child’s Pediatrician
If you are concerned about your child’s snoring then the first step that you should take is to consult with their pediatrician. Your doctor will be able to give you advice on how best to help reduce or stop your baby from snoring.
A doctor can also prescribe medication for your child. They will be able to diagnose what the actually problem is and then come up with a plan of action for the treatment.
2) Use a Humidifier to Keep Air Moist
Some babies have very dry airways which can cause them to develop a cold and also lead to more discomfort at night time, however placing a humidifier in your baby’s room can moisten up his or her airways making it easier for them sleep soundly.
3) Nasal Saline Drops
This is one of the most basic causes of snoring in babies. Until and unless the parents clean their child’s nose regularly, mucus is going to get built up in their nose and it will then make them snore at night. It can also cause irritation to the child and cause breathing problems.
If there is an obstruction within your child’s nose due the buildup of mucus during allergy season, saline drops may help open up their nasal passageways and reduce their snoring.
4) Use Positive Airway Pressure Device (PAP)
PAP devices are quite popular these days. Their high popularity is because of their effectiveness.
If you have a child that is suffering from sleep apnea or has severe snoring then using a PAP device can help to reduce the amount of airway resistance your baby experiences.
There are different types of PAP devices available in the market so consult your child’s doctor before you move ahead with using one of these.
5) Change Your Child’s Room
Changing your child’s room and the environment can have an effect on your child’s snoring. If your child is snoring because of allergies, placing an air purifier in their room can help to reduce the allergens and also decrease their snores.
May be your child’s room has a big window that open to the front of the house. This means that all the vehicles that move on the road outside your house may be sending in dirt and debris inside your house through the window which may clog your child’s nasal canal.
The dampness and dirt in your child’s room can all trigger snoring.
6) Surgery
If your child is regularly snoring and has another underlying health condition that can’t be controlled using the steps above, then surgery might be an option. This method of treatment is only recommended in extreme cases where all other forms of treatments have failed to work effectively.
In some cases it becomes completely impossible to get rid of the snoring issues with medication and other techniques like PAP devices. One of such cases can be when the child is born with a deformity that hinders the child’s ability to breath and may also cause snoring when the child is asleep.
7) Alternative Solutions
There are alternative solutions such as, special sprays and other medications which may also be an option for babies who suffer from milder forms of snoring however this should always first be discussed with your pediatrician before use.
Also these items might not work so well on children under two years old. There could also be some side effects associated with their use depending on what they contain.
Snoring in babies is very common and it doesn’t always mean that there is something seriously wrong with your child however if their snores become disruptive then you should consult their pediatrician.
