Babies breathe through the nose, which allows them to nurse at the same time. However, your baby’s nose may sometimes be blocked by mucus and boogers. This blockage causes your little one to produce a whistle, a sniffle, or a snort as air passes through.
When not occurring frequently, snorts and squeaks are entirely usual for a baby and pose no cause for alarm. Babies make pig noises because the nose and lungs are not yet accustomed to breathing. The air outside is also very dry compared to the air in the womb, where your baby has been for the past nine months.
Your baby is likely to snort more when breathing in and when falling into REM sleep. You will also notice that your little one tends to snort while feeding and breathing hard.
Why Does My Baby Make Pig Noises?
The organs that allow your baby to breathe are tightly packed on your little one’s chest. As these tiny organs get introduced to the idea of inhaling air, you are bound to hear every whistle and snort imaginable. This gentle rattle may be more audible to you because you are right there and so tuned to listening to your baby’s breathing.
Babies are nose-breathers and are often unaware of using the mouth as an alternative air passage. Sometimes milk or mucus may block your little one’s sole air route. Since your baby is unable to coordinate or remove the obstruction, it stays logged in your baby’s nose. This then produces the whistle, sniffle, and snorts.
Is it Normal for Your Baby to Snort While Laughing?
Laughter is a social structure that connects human beings. Ninety percent of laughter has nothing to do with someone telling a joke. Your baby is just learning to communicate with you through this funny type of laughter. When your baby snorts while laughing, you certainly are prompted to join in.
While laughing, the swirling air inside your baby’s nostrils creates low pressure. This drops the nostrils together and produces the snorting sound. Your baby is laughing through the nose because the little one is still learning to use both the mouth and nose. Babies who are getting accustomed to using the mouth as a breathing alternative will snort while laughing.
As much as the little one may send you to more laughter with this type of snorting, always check to remove any blockage from your baby’s nose. If the snorting seems exaggerated, you may need to see an ENT specialist to rule out any underlying issues that may be causing your baby’s increased snorting.
Why Does Your Baby Make Pig Noises When Feeding?
Your baby’s snorting and grunting during feeding are related to digestion. The Little one is only getting used to your milk or the formula.
Sometimes your baby may develop gas or pressure in the stomach. These may cause discomfort to your little one. Snorting during feeding disappears with time as your baby learns to move things through, and the digestive system gets accustomed to the milk.
Signs That Your Baby’s Pig Noises Need Looking Into
The pig noises your baby is making are just part of normal breathing that most babies experience. Nevertheless, there may be some warning signs that you should look out for.
If you observe your baby’s chest, you will notice that breathing stops altogether for a few seconds. This pausing in between breathing happens in babies, and you need not panic. However, if breathing stops for longer than 10 seconds, you may have to seek expert advice.
Check to see if your little one’s breathing is fast. If the rate exceeds 60 breaths per minute and you hear persistent snorting, you may need to see your GP. If your baby is struggling to breathe and the chest is pulling in with every inhalation, it may need looking into.
Sometimes during breathing, the muscles in your little one’s chest and neck visibly go in and out much more deeply than usual. If this happens, you need to contact your GP, who will help and advise you on the best course of action.
Conclusion
Your baby’s sniffle and snorts are not symptoms of anything to be alarmed about. Your baby will snort more during feeding time and when falling into REM sleep. These noises do not bother your little one, and by age one, most babies stop making pig noises by age one.
It is normal for babies to hold the breath in between breathing. However, a regular shorter pause in your baby’s breathing of 5-10 seconds is something to look into.
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