Noisy Breathing in Babies
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
Noisy breathing in babies is extremely common and usually benign. Newborns and young infants have narrow nasal passages and small airways that produce audible sounds with normal breathing. The most common cause is laryngomalacia (floppy larynx), which produces a high-pitched inspiratory noise that typically worsens with feeding, crying, or lying on the back and resolves by 12-18 months. Other causes range from simple nasal congestion to more serious airway abnormalities.
Key takeaways
- Noisy breathing in babies is extremely common and usually benign.
- Most common cause: Laryngomalacia (floppy larynx — most common cause of chronic stridor in infants)
- Emergency: Noisy breathing with significant respiratory distress (retractions, nasal flaring, grunting)
- Home care: Position baby on side or tummy during supervised awake time (noise often decreases)
Possible Causes
When to Seek Help
Emergency — Call 911 or go to ER:
- Noisy breathing with significant respiratory distress (retractions, nasal flaring, grunting)
- Cyanosis (blue lips or face) with noisy breathing
- Sudden onset of noisy breathing/choking suggesting foreign body aspiration
- Apnea or near-apnea episodes with color change
- Unable to feed due to breathing difficulty
Urgent — See doctor today:
- Progressive worsening of stridor over hours (possible croup or swelling)
- Noisy breathing with high fever and drooling (possible epiglottitis or abscess)
- Stridor at rest with poor feeding in young infant
- Biphasic stridor (noise on both inhalation and exhalation)
Same-day appointment:
- Chronic noisy breathing with poor weight gain despite adequate intake
- Noisy breathing that worsens significantly with feeding causing choking or cyanosis
- Parents concerned about new or changing character of noisy breathing
Monitor at home:
- Mild laryngomalacia with good weight gain and no distress
- Nasal congestion causing snorting in an otherwise well newborn
- Temporary noisy breathing during a cold that improves as illness resolves
By Age
0-2 months
Normal: Snuffling, snorting, and mild squeaky breathing are very common in newborns due to narrow nasal passages. Laryngomalacia often presents in the first weeks of life as a high-pitched inspiratory noise.
Worry if: Noisy breathing with retractions (chest pulling in), poor feeding/weight gain, color changes (blue or pale), or progressive worsening rather than staying stable or improving.
2-6 months
Normal: Laryngomalacia typically worsens at 4-8 months before improving. Baby should still be feeding well and gaining weight despite the noise.
Worry if: Increasing stridor with feeding difficulty and poor weight gain. Noisy breathing with apneic episodes. Biphasic stridor (noisy on both inhale and exhale) suggesting fixed obstruction.
6-12 months
Normal: Laryngomalacia begins to improve in most babies. Noisy breathing during colds is normal and temporary.
Worry if: Stridor worsening rather than improving after 6-8 months. New-onset noisy breathing that was not present before. Noisy breathing only with exercise/exertion in older infant.
1-3 years
Normal: Most laryngomalacia has resolved by 18-24 months. Temporary noisy breathing during respiratory infections is normal.
Worry if: Persistent stridor beyond age 2 years. Noisy breathing with exercise intolerance. Sudden onset noisy breathing (possible foreign body aspiration).
Home Care
- Position baby on side or tummy during supervised awake time (noise often decreases)
- Keep nasal passages clear with saline drops and gentle suction
- Use a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom
- Feed baby in a more upright position if noise worsens with feeding
- For laryngomalacia, smaller and more frequent feeds may help
- Keep baby's head slightly elevated during sleep (raise mattress, not with pillows)
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and strong irritants
- Record videos of the noisy breathing to show the pediatrician
- Do NOT use over-the-counter decongestants in babies under 2 years
Frequently asked questions
What causes noisy breathing?
When is this an emergency?
What can I do at home?
When should I call the doctor?
Sources
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources
Related Symptoms
Bottom line
Most cases of noisy breathing in babies are not emergencies. However, seek immediate care if noisy breathing with significant respiratory distress (retractions, nasal flaring, grunting).
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.