Whoever coined the phrase “sleep like a baby” must not have been talking about newborn babies. 

Newborn sleep is full of baby grunts, strange noises, whimpers, and restlessness. 

As a new parent, you may have noticed your baby’s sleep sounds and have worried that may be something to be concerned about.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything from how newborn babies breathe while sleeping to grunting baby syndrome and what your baby’s grunting in their sleep can mean in several different instances.

In reading this, you may just be able to put your mind at ease, get some much-needed rest yourself, and know when or if your baby needs a visit to the doctor to discuss the newborn grunting.

Baby grunting in sleep

Hearing your newborn grunting while they sleep can be alarming, especially for a new parent. Most babies make noise while sleeping, but it’s not widely discussed. 

Baby sleep has long been spoken about as peaceful and silent. However, that’s not an accurate depiction. 

The reality is that baby’s sleep sounds can sometimes be downright strange.

Newborn sleep

Babies sleep a lot—especially newborn babies. 

Snoozing for seventeen hours or so a day, much of their time is spent in some stage of sleep. 

When they aren’t sleeping, they’re pooping, peeing, crying, or eating. 

That’s the life of a newborn.

It will make sense that in all of that sleep, there will be baby grunts and noises as the baby breathes and goes through sleep transitions. 

Most of the time, this is entirely normal. If that’s not enough to ease your mind, however, there are deeper explanations to help you understand your newborn baby and all the noise made.

Young babies sleep differently

Older children and adults usually go to sleep, and nothing odd happens. 

Adults and even some kids may snore, and you may hear about the occasional sleep talker, but for the most part, going to sleep means staying asleep, and nothing about it is very vocal or eventful.

Young babies and newborn babies, however, aren’t the same.

Newborns are in an almost constant state of REM sleep. This is the stage that is the most restless. This is the stage of sleep time in which people dream. 

It’s light sleep and comes with whimpering, grunting, and other odd sounds.

What it means if your baby is grunting

There are many sounds that your baby is apt to make while sleeping, especially in the first few weeks of life. 

A baby is considered a neonate, or newborn, for the first four weeks after delivery. And this month of life is a strange journey for many parents.

If your baby makes odd noises during sleep, you may feel like there’s no way you can ever decode all of it. 

However, there are plausible explanations for just about every sound your child makes.

1. Rapid breathing

Breathing steadily and having periods of breathing faster can be alarming to a parent. Unless you notice periods when your baby stops breathing, takes on a blueish hue, or is gasping, it’s likely nothing to worry about.

Babies don’t have fully developed breathing processes. This irregular breathing you may be hearing or witnessing is usually perfectly normal. 

As your baby gets older, those lungs and brain will regulate more.

2. Whistling

If your baby sounds like a tiny whistle while sleeping, you can blame it on that tiny nose. 

Babies are nose breathers, and a newborn’s narrow nasal passage can make noises even if there’s just the tiniest little booger or obstruction in that little nose.

3. Grunting baby syndrome

If your baby is grunting and straining in their sleep or pulling up their legs and making grunting sounds, bowel movements may be to blame. 

Bowel movements can sometimes be difficult for the baby to pass, and passing stool is often easier for your baby when sleeping because the body is more relaxed.

Sometimes it just takes a bit of grunting to help it along. 

Once those weak abdominal muscles and pelvic floor learn to work together to pass a bowel movement or make passing gas less stressful, the noises should cease.

4. Grunting and lip-smacking

Lip-smacking is a hunger cue for small infants. If you notice that your little one is turning their head from side to side (rooting), smacking their lips, or sucking on their hands or fingers, it may be a sign that they are hungry.

A newborn baby sleeping may start letting you know they are hungry, even without waking up. 

Newborns should eat every few hours, so if it’s been that long or longer, and you hear grunting with some smacking of the lips or sucking on the hands, then it’s probably a safe bet that your baby just needs to be fed.

When to worry about baby grunting

A noisy sleeper isn’t something you need to worry about most of the time. 

You may wish for quieter sleep for your own peace of mind, but when your baby sleeps, noises happen. 

Sometimes, however, there is cause for concern, and you need to see a doctor immediately when certain things occur alongside a baby grunt.

1. Persistent distressed grunting

If you’re sure a bowel movement isn’t in the works, and you hear a grunt at the end of a breath, it may mean that blocked airways have something to do with it. 

If the grunting is persistent and occurs during active and deep sleep, a doctor should see it as soon as possible to determine if a sleep study or intervention is necessary.

2. Grunting with no bowel movement

The stomach muscles of a tiny baby are not developed or controlled enough to pass a bowel movement successfully every time. 

So your baby may grunt or make weird noises in their sleep when trying to pass gas or poop.

Suppose you notice much straining and grunting noise, with no productive poop or tough bowel movements. In that case, your child may have issues with normal digestion, acid reflux, constipation, or other functional gastrointestinal disorders. 

These issues are a cause for concern because they can cause pain and other issues.

3. Respiratory distress

Difficulty breathing or a complete block of the nasal passages causes concern. 

If your child is having trouble breathing and using a nasal aspirator to clear the nasal passages produces no improvement, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

The respiratory systems of infants are fragile and complex. If your child shows respiratory distress or other symptoms of actual pain, it must be checked out immediately.

4. Grunting accompanied by fever

Meningitis is a deadly condition that poses a genuine and immediate risk. While it’s not common, it’s essential to understand when you need to be concerned. 

Getting immediate medical attention is vital.

The following symptoms are associated with infant meningitis:

• Fever
• Stiffness of the neck
• Cold hands and feet
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Refusal to eat
• High-pitched, panicked crying
• Overly pronounced or bulging fontanelle (soft spot)

There are several different types of meningitis, but they are all severe and potentially life-threatening. 

An inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spine; if your child has a combination or most of the symptoms mentioned above, it is best to seek immediate medical attention.

Safe sleep guidelines

Safe sleep guidelines were created to help parents reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and infant sleep-related deaths. 

You can be less anxious about newborn grunts if following these guidelines.

• Baby should have a room or area to sleep in. Co-sleeping is not a safe practice.
• Never put blankets, pillows, or any loose articles in bed with your baby. If you are concerned with your child’s warmth, dress your child in layers.
• Always put your baby to bed on its back. If your baby learns to roll over, they may do so, but always start bedtime with your baby on their back to sleep.
• Don’t allow your baby to sleep with stuffed animals or toys. If your baby is restless, use a white noise machine or play soft music. Toys for cuddling are not safe in infancy.

Baby whimpering in sleep

The first few months with your baby at home are odd. 

Nap time can be full of surprises. Your little one may sound strange, especially in the rapid eye movement stage of sleep. Grunts, whimpers, gurgling noises, and other noises can sound alarming.

Most of the time, babies are just loud. If you are at all concerned about the health and safety of your little one during sleep, or if you notice difficulty with respiration, the skin taking on a blue tinge, or anything else that causes you legitimate concern, don’t be afraid to go to the doctor or emergency room.

It’s always best to play it safe.