Normal Noisy Breathing in Newborns
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect normal noisy breathing in newborns, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
Newborns are notoriously noisy breathers. Squeaking, whistling, snorting, rattling, and gurgling sounds are very common and usually normal because babies have small, flexible airways and narrow nasal passages. As long as your baby is breathing comfortably, feeding well, and has normal skin color, noisy breathing is rarely a cause for concern.
Key takeaways
- Newborns are notoriously noisy breathers. Squeaking, whistling, snorting, rattling, and gurgling sounds are very common and usually normal because babies have small, flexible airways and narrow nasal passages. As long as your baby is breathing comfortably, feeding well, and has normal skin color, noisy breathing is rarely a cause for concern.
- Usually normal when: Snorting, squeaking, or gurgling sounds during sleep that do not affect breathing rate or comfort
- Call your doctor if: Any signs of breathing difficulty: nasal flaring, chest retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), belly breathing, or breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH guidelines, newborns are notoriously noisy breathers. Squeaking, whistling, snorting, rattling, and gurgling sounds are very common and usually normal because babies have small, flexible airways and narrow nasal passages. As long as your baby is breathing comfortably, feeding well, and has normal skin color, noisy breathing is rarely a cause for concern. At 0-1 month, newborns make a wide variety of breathing sounds that can worry new parents. Snorting and snuffling occur because nasal passages are narrow. Squeaking may happen because the airway cartilage is still soft and flexible. Gurgling or rattling sounds can be caused by saliva or mucus in the back of the throat. Brief pauses in breathing (up to 10 seconds) are normal periodic breathing. These sounds are generally louder when baby is sleeping or lying on their back. As long as your baby's breathing rate is normal (30-60 breaths per minute), skin color is good, and feeding is going well, these sounds are typically benign. It is generally considered normal when snorting, squeaking, or gurgling sounds during sleep that do not affect breathing rate or comfort. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if any signs of breathing difficulty: nasal flaring, chest retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), belly breathing, or breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-1 month
Newborns make a wide variety of breathing sounds that can worry new parents. Snorting and snuffling occur because nasal passages are narrow. Squeaking may happen because the airway cartilage is still soft and flexible. Gurgling or rattling sounds can be caused by saliva or mucus in the back of the throat. Brief pauses in breathing (up to 10 seconds) are normal periodic breathing. These sounds are generally louder when baby is sleeping or lying on their back. As long as your baby's breathing rate is normal (30-60 breaths per minute), skin color is good, and feeding is going well, these sounds are typically benign.
1-3 months
Noisy breathing may continue or even seem louder as your baby grows and moves more air through their still-small airways. Some babies develop stridor (a high-pitched sound with breathing), which can be caused by laryngomalacia (floppy airway tissue), a common and usually self-resolving condition. If the noise is consistently present and gets worse during feeding or when your baby is on their back, mention it to your pediatrician.
3-6 months
Many breathing sounds improve as airways grow. Laryngomalacia, if present, often peaks around 4-8 months. Noisy breathing that improves with positioning (better on tummy) and does not affect feeding or growth is usually managed with observation. New or worsening respiratory noises should be evaluated.
6-12 months
Airways continue to grow and become firmer. Most normal noisy breathing has resolved or significantly improved by this age. Persistent stridor, wheezing, or noisy breathing should be evaluated by your pediatrician to rule out conditions that may need treatment.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed normal noisy breathing in newborns and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if a consistent high-pitched sound (stridor) with every breath, especially during feeding.
- Mention if noisy breathing that seems to be getting louder or more persistent over time.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Snorting, squeaking, or gurgling sounds during sleep that do not affect breathing rate or comfort
- Noisy breathing that comes and goes and is related to position or activity
- Baby has normal skin color, feeds well, and grows normally
- Breathing rate stays between 30-60 breaths per minute in the newborn period
- A consistent high-pitched sound (stridor) with every breath, especially during feeding
- Noisy breathing that seems to be getting louder or more persistent over time
- Baby seems to work harder to breathe during feeds or tires easily
- Any signs of breathing difficulty: nasal flaring, chest retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), belly breathing, or breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute
- Blue or gray color of the lips, tongue, or face, or episodes where breathing stops for more than 20 seconds
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice normal noisy breathing in newborns — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that snorting, squeaking, or gurgling sounds during sleep that do not affect breathing rate or comfort — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-1 month, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if any signs of breathing difficulty: nasal flaring, chest retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), belly breathing, or breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute.
Related Conditions
Normal Baby Breathing Patterns
Newborns and young babies have breathing patterns that can seem alarming to parents but are perfectly normal. Periodic breathing -- rapid breaths followed by brief pauses of up to 10 seconds -- is common, especially during sleep. Normal newborn breathing rates range from 30-60 breaths per minute and are naturally irregular. Babies are obligate nose breathers and may sound congested without being sick. True warning signs include persistent fast breathing, pauses longer than 20 seconds, chest retractions, grunting, or color changes.
Stridor (Noisy Breathing) in Babies
Stridor is a high-pitched, squeaky or whistling sound heard when a baby breathes in (and sometimes out). It is caused by narrowing or obstruction of the upper airway. The most common cause in infants is laryngomalacia (a floppy voice box), which is usually harmless and outgrown. However, stridor can also be caused by croup, vocal cord problems, airway malformations, or foreign body aspiration. New-onset stridor or stridor with breathing difficulty always needs medical evaluation.
Laryngomalacia (Floppy Airway)
Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of noisy breathing (stridor) in infants. It occurs when the tissue above the vocal cords is unusually soft and floppy, causing it to collapse inward during breathing and create a high-pitched squeaky sound. It typically appears within the first 2 weeks of life, peaks in severity at 4-8 months, and resolves on its own by 12-18 months. Most cases are mild and require no treatment beyond monitoring.
Nasal Congestion in Newborns Without a Cold
Nasal congestion in newborns without a cold is very common and usually harmless. Newborns have very small nasal passages that are easily congested by normal mucus, dried milk, lint, or dry air. Because babies breathe primarily through their noses, even mild congestion can sound significant. Saline drops and a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator can help, along with a cool-mist humidifier.
Related Resources
Breathing Difficulty Triage
Assess breathing concerns and know when to seek emergency care.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is normal noisy breathing in newborns normal?
When should I call the doctor about normal noisy breathing in newborns?
When is normal noisy breathing in newborns normal?
What causes normal noisy breathing in newborns?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about normal noisy breathing in newborns?
Is normal noisy breathing in newborns normal at 0-1 month?
Is normal noisy breathing in newborns normal at 1-3 months?
Should I go to the ER for normal noisy breathing in newborns?
Does normal noisy breathing in newborns go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Normal Noisy Breathing in Newborns.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed normal noisy breathing in newborns and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if a consistent high-pitched sound (stridor) with every breath, especially during feeding.
- Mention if noisy breathing that seems to be getting louder or more persistent over time.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- A consistent high-pitched sound (stridor) with every breath, especially during feeding
- Noisy breathing that seems to be getting louder or more persistent over time
- Baby seems to work harder to breathe during feeds or tires easily
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Any signs of breathing difficulty: nasal flaring, chest retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), belly breathing, or breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute
- Blue or gray color of the lips, tongue, or face, or episodes where breathing stops for more than 20 seconds
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of normal noisy breathing in newborns are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if any signs of breathing difficulty: nasal flaring, chest retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), belly breathing, or breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Medical Concerns
Normal Baby Breathing Patterns
Newborns and young babies have breathing patterns that can seem alarming to parents but are perfectly normal. Periodic breathing -- rapid breaths followed by brief pauses of up to 10 seconds -- is common, especially during sleep. Normal newborn breathing rates range from 30-60 breaths per minute and are naturally irregular. Babies are obligate nose breathers and may sound congested without being sick. True warning signs include persistent fast breathing, pauses longer than 20 seconds, chest retractions, grunting, or color changes.
Stridor (Noisy Breathing) in Babies
Stridor is a high-pitched, squeaky or whistling sound heard when a baby breathes in (and sometimes out). It is caused by narrowing or obstruction of the upper airway. The most common cause in infants is laryngomalacia (a floppy voice box), which is usually harmless and outgrown. However, stridor can also be caused by croup, vocal cord problems, airway malformations, or foreign body aspiration. New-onset stridor or stridor with breathing difficulty always needs medical evaluation.
Laryngomalacia (Floppy Airway)
Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of noisy breathing (stridor) in infants. It occurs when the tissue above the vocal cords is unusually soft and floppy, causing it to collapse inward during breathing and create a high-pitched squeaky sound. It typically appears within the first 2 weeks of life, peaks in severity at 4-8 months, and resolves on its own by 12-18 months. Most cases are mild and require no treatment beyond monitoring.
Nasal Congestion in Newborns Without a Cold
Nasal congestion in newborns without a cold is very common and usually harmless. Newborns have very small nasal passages that are easily congested by normal mucus, dried milk, lint, or dry air. Because babies breathe primarily through their noses, even mild congestion can sound significant. Saline drops and a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator can help, along with a cool-mist humidifier.
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and is usually apparent at birth with characteristic features including short limbs, a larger head, and a prominent forehead. Intelligence is normal. With monitoring for specific complications and supportive care, children with achondroplasia lead full, active, and independent lives.