Ask any parent – hearing and seeing your newborn grunting and squirming while sleeping is about as common as it gets. Newborns are famously noisy and active sleepers. Between the grunts, twitches, moans, cries, and sighs, it’s normal to wonder if it's something you should be worried about.
The good news? In most cases, a grunting baby is nothing to stress over. In this article we’ll answer common questions about noisy newborn sleepers, including when babies stop grunting in sleep, and when, if ever, you should be concerned.
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Why is My Newborn Making Noises While Sleeping?
An infant making grunting noises is often just part of getting used to life outside the womb – and figuring out how their body works. Newborns are naturally noisy sleepers and in the first few weeks and months you may hear everything from grunting and sighing while they sleep to crying, gurgling, moaning, panting, and more.
These sounds are almost always normal. They’re caused by immature sleep cycles, underdeveloped digestion, and bodies that are still very much a work in progress. Same goes for any sudden twitches or movements in sleep.
Here’s a breakdown of common causes for newborn grunting and squirming while sleeping:
- REM Sleep: Have you heard of newborn active sleep? Babies spend a lot of time in active Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep at the beginning of their life – their brains are still developing, and a lot of that happens when they are asleep. While REM looks very different for adults, dreaming happens during this sleep cycle.
- Digestive Discomfort: Your baby might grunt because they are making a bowel movement or gassy at night. Unlike adults, newborns don’t have as much control nor coordination – therefore digestive discomfort can just look and sound like your baby grunting and pulling legs up in sleep to help. You might also hear gurgling if a bit of milk hasn’t made it to their stomach yet – those tiny bellies fill up fast!
- Moro Reflex: Newborn babies have something called the Moro Reflex or startle reflex, which is a sudden and involuntary movement that looks like twitches or jerks of their limbs. It could come with some noises, too! It’s a response to a sudden movement change or noise – and is a big reason why we recommend you safely swaddle your newborn. They grow out of it by 6 months though.
- Grunting Baby Syndrome (yes, it’s a thing!): The medical term is “infant dyschezia” and means your baby is still learning how to coordinate the muscles needed to poop. Until they get the hang of it (usually within the first couple of weeks), they may grunt, cry, or strain – including during sleep. It may look uncomfortable, but they’re not in pain. Once they finally go, the noises stop. If your baby seems unusually upset or cries nonstop, check in with your healthcare provider to be safe.
- Nasal Breathing: Newborns can be super congested during the first few weeks which can lead to some extra noises. Plus, babies breathe mostly through their nose (except when they cry) – which can be noisy, too.
- Periodic Breathing: It’s normal for newborns to have irregular breathing patterns as they adjust to life outside the womb. You might notice your baby pause between breaths and then take a few quicker ones – this is called periodic breathing, and it’s typically nothing to worry about and ijust part of their development. If your baby seems to be struggling to breathe or something feels off, seek medical attention.
When Do Babies Stop Grunting in Sleep?
Nightly newborn grunting and squirming often stops by around 3-months-old, or the end of the 4th trimester. While it may seem concerning to hear all these noises and see all these movements in your newborn, usually they will fade on their own as their bodies and digestive systems mature and they spend more time in NREM sleep, the quiet baby sleep cycle.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Infant Making Grunting Noises?
While baby grunts and other noises are a normal part of babyhood, there are certain sleep noises or situations that signal your baby may be struggling to breathe. If you notice any of these signs, seek immediate medical attention.
- Doesn’t breathe for more than 10 seconds at a time (this is different than periodic breathing)
- Skin or lips turn bluish
- Face is red but they are not making a bowel movement
- Nostrils are flaring
- Chest is heaving
- Something seems off – you know your baby best
If your baby’s grunting in sleep also accompanies a fever or changes in eating, call your healthcare provider immediately. A fever in a newborn is dangerous.
Tips to Support a Baby Grunting in Sleep
If your baby grunting all night is keeping you awake, or seems to be disrupting their sleep, here are a few things to try:
- Burp Thoroughly After Feeds: Trapped air can contribute to grunting.
- Try Bicycle Legs: Moving your baby’s legs before bedtime can help move gas through the system. Also, a massage can help baby poop or pass gas!
- Back to Sleep: Always follow safe sleep guidelines – this includes putting your baby down on their back on a flat surface with no inclines, wedges, pillows, or blankets.
- Turn on a Sound Machine: White noise from a sound machine can help drown out some of the nighttime sounds so everyone can get sleep a little better.
- Choose an Absorbent Diaper: A diaper designed specifically for newborns, like Pampers Swaddlers, helps prevent your baby from waking up unnecessarily – newborns already sleep in such short bursts anyways, and a nighttime blowout is no help.
- Safely Swaddle: If your newborn moves a lot at night in addition to grunting, knowing how to swaddle your baby is key. This keeps them from waking themselves up from their reflex movements – but make sure to stop swaddling the second they show signs of rolling over. (Here’s more on when do babies roll over)
- Start Setting a Routine: Even though it’s near impossible to get a newborn on a consistent sleep schedule, following an Eat Play Sleep schedule can help everyone start to get in the swing of things.
- Use a Baby Sleep App: Take this free sleep assessment to get a custom sleep plan and schedule that tells you exactly what you need to do to set your baby up for sleep success. The Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers app includes a sleep schedule that adjusts in real-time, so you know exactly when to put your little one to sleep – so they fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve found yourself staring at the monitor or constantly checking on your newborn wondering “Why is my baby grunting in their sleep?” and is this normal, you’re not alone.
Whether it’s grunting, squeaking, sighing, or squirming, a newborn making noises while sleeping is developmentally normal. These sounds don’t necessarily mean your baby is uncomfortable or waking up!
Even if your baby is sleeping soundly, these nighttime noises can leave you feeling more tired than ever. If you’re looking for help establishing healthy sleep habits or want support getting longer stretches of sleep, the Smart Sleep Coach app is here to guide you through it all – step-by-step.
While noisy, try to remember that the newborn period is fleeting! Quieter sleeps are on the horizon.
