Snoring is a common phenomenon, not only in adults but in many tiny babies who will also snore. The baby's breathing is usually quiet after falling asleep. Sometimes, occasional snoring is considered normal. But if the baby snores loudly or frequently, there may be hidden health problems behind it. Do babies usually snore? Today we will talk about it in three aspects: causes, hazards, and remedies.
1. Why do babies snore while sleeping?
After birth, the baby will start to breathe by himself. But the nasal structures of newborns are unique. Newborns can breathe more smoothly through the nose than breathing through the mouth. Once the nose is difficult to breathe, the baby can only maintain breathing through his mouth. But the mouth breathing is more laborious. So the baby will be anxious, restless, and can not have a restful sleep. Then they will snore during sleep.
2. What causes snoring?
There probably is not one single cause. It needs a concrete analysis of specific situations.
2.1 wrong sleep position
If babies sleep in the wrong position, like their hands and feet are pressed, or their bodies are twisted. They may snore at night. Snoring babies are generally more sensitive to environmental stimuli. So it is essential to create a good sleep environment for your snoring baby and help him avoid external stimuli.
2.2 excessive amount of exercise during the day
An excessive amount of exercise during the day makes babies tired. Tired babies are easier to snore.
2.3 large tonsils
Babies with large tonsils often snore. Some babies’ tonsils are large from birth. Some large tonsils have resulted from a cold. The enlarged tonsil in a baby’s throat can interfere with breathing while sleeping.
2.4 sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. Most babies with sleep apnea do snore, and they frequently awake during sleep.
2.5 obesity
Obesity will cause swelling of the soft tissues, and the large soft tissues can cause tracheal compression. That’s why your baby will snore sometimes.
2.6 catch a cold
When a baby has a cold, he/she will have these symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, scratchy throat, etc. The baby sleep with his mouth open or snores.
2.7 allergy
Not like adults, babies are sensitive and delicate. Even dust mites can trigger allergies. Allergies can make a baby’s nose to be congested and cause breathing difficulties.
2.8 poor air quality
People know that secondhand smoke causes health problems. Biologically, babies are more susceptible to the dangers of passive smoking. Secondhand smoke can worsen the respiratory disease. It can also trigger snoring.
2.9 deglutition
After feeding, some mothers will put their babies down and let them sleep. At this time, babies do not swallow the milk completely. The milk that lumps in the baby's mouth will be blocked in the throat, which will cause snoring.
Suggestion: After feeding the baby, you can pick your baby up and pat his back with your hand to promote swallowing.
2.10 the height of the pillow
If the pillow is too high, it will make the neck too bend. And the baby will snore.
Suggestions: Three months old babies can begin to learn to lift their heads. Parents can prepare your 3-month-old baby a pillow to use.
3. The hazards of snoring
Some people may ask: my baby snores at night. Should I be worried? The answer is yes. Prolonged snoring has many hazards.
3.1 affect the appearance
When a baby can not breathe by his nose, he only can choose to breathe by mouth. But it may grind down the teeth and cause some problems in chewing. Besides, it also will affect a baby’s appearance.
3.2 make the baby’s brain can’t get enough oxygen
If babies have snored for a long time, it will affect their breath. Their bodies can not get enough oxygen, which will easily cause brain hypoxia. Finally, it will cause health problems.
3.3 affect sleep quality.
If the snore affects the sleep quality of the baby, he can not have a good rest. Most immediately, snoring affects sleep quality. Babies can not have a good rest. A night of high-quality sleep is very important for a baby. When babies sleep, the growth hormone is released into their bodies. The growth hormone can build muscle and stimulate the bone marrow, creating immune cells. It means a lot for growth and development.
3.4 lead to problems with your baby’s growth and development
The secretion of growth hormone is usually in the latter half of the night or when your baby is in a deep sleep. If the baby keeps snoring while sleeping, they can hardly have a deep sleep, and their secretion of growth hormone also will be affected, which directly affects the growth and development of the baby.
4. What should I do?
4.1 adjust the sleep position
Adjusting and finding a comfortable sleep position for your baby.
4.2 weight control
Parents need to help babies to control the weight of their bodies. Creating or adjusting a new diet structure. It can help stop snoring.
4.3 moderate exercise
A little exercise is good for a baby’s health. It can improve the development of limbs and elevate the baby’s mood.
4.4 have a well-balanced diet
After 10 months, babies can start to eat food supplements. Parents should pay attention to the quality of complementary foods. Healthy complementary foods contain a variety of vitamins that are beneficial to a baby’s body. And a balanced diet also helps babies to maintain health.
4.5 buy a sleep sack
The easy and basic way is to have a sleep sack for your baby. In the old days, people only can cover their babies with quilts. But babies may be overheated, and they will kick the quilts sometimes. Then they may catch a cold.
Sleep sacks are more and more popular at present. Mothers will choose typical sleep sacks for their babies to wear during sleep. A versatile sleep sack not only can cozy up babies but also can give them a sense of security and comfort. Babies can sleep much better in it.
Kaiya Angel sleep sacks recommendation:
1) Organic Newborn Sleep Sacks With Mesh Cotton
This newborn sleep sack is made of 100% sustainable organic cotton. In addition, there is mesh cotton in the back. Newborns are easy to sweat and be overheated. And heat causes a prickly rash easily on your baby’s skin. They need sleep sacks that are breathable.
This organic sleep sack not only offers babies comfort and breathability but also has an ergonomic design with an anti-startle reaction. If the baby lacks security, he can not have a restful sleep. This sleep sack can soothe him.
2) Baby Bamboo Quilted Sleeveless Sleep Sack TOG 1.0
This bamboo sleep sack is not only suitable for newborns but also is suitable for toddlers. It has a wide range of sizes. Babies from newborn to three years old can all wear it. Newborns can wear this sleep sack with the Baby Bamboo Velcro Swaddle Wrap Band. This accessory is used to fix a newborns’ arms. This wrap band is easy to use. It is designed with friendly Velcro. Parents can use it to wrap a baby conveniently.
3) Long Sleeve Split-Leg Sleep Sack
When your baby starts to learn to walk, you can arrange a walker sleep sack for him, like this long sleeve split-leg sleep sack. It has a split-leg design. Babies can walk freely while wearing it. And the bottom of the crotch is three-dimensional. It leaves room for diapers. If the bottom of the crotch is too tight, babies may feel uncomfortable, and it is easy to get diaper rash.
Sleep Sacks
HAVE A RESTFUL SLEEP
100% Premium organic cotton sleep sacks. Relax delicate skin + reduce tension for your baby's sleep.👶
4.6 stay away from cigarettes
To create a healthy growing environment. It’s time for parents to quit smoking.
4.7 adjust the humidity of the bedroom
The dry air will cause your baby to have a stuffy nose. Parents should pay attention to increasing the humidity of the bedroom.
4.8 keep the bedroom clean
Some babies have sensitive noses. Dust and mite in the bedroom may cause your baby to have a nasal allergy. Parents should change bed sheets regularly and note ventilation to reduce allergen stimulation.
4.9 pay attention to the room temperature
The room temperature is changeable. Changeable temperature is easy cause your baby has a cold. Once the baby has a running nose, he will snore easily. So parents should try to control the room temperature and change suitable baby clothes for their babies in time.
4.10 see a doctor
Check if your baby appears symptomatic as below, then you need to take him/her to see a doctor.
1) Have long-term, frequent snoring.
2) Loud snoring.
3) Sleep apnea.
4) Baby sleep with mouth open.
5) Restless sleep, wake up frequently during sleep.
6) Excessive sweating during sleep.
7) Have difficulty in concentrating.