Why Does Newborn Baby Make Sound While Sleeping?

What Parents Need to Know About Newborn Sleeping Sound?

You may have seen many adorable images of sleeping babies. They look like little angels who can’t trouble anyone. You learn the reality during the early days of parenthood. Newborns do not follow any specific sleeping schedule. They sleep, play, and cry whenever they want. Thus, many new parents find it challenging to take care of their baby.

One thing that troubles many parents is the noise some newborns make when they breathe. These unexpected sounds draw their attention and sometimes worry them. Sleeping babies may make gurgling, grunting, squeaking, sneezing, and whimpering noises. Why does that happen? Is everything alright with your baby if he makes such sounds in sleep? Continue reading to reveal important facts about newborn sleeping sound!

Should You Worry About Newborn Sleeping Sound?

Newborn babies may make sounds in their sleep due to many reasons. Most babies make sounds while sleeping because their respiratory and central nervous systems are yet not completely developed. Therefore, babies can occasionally hum or twitch while sleeping.

You should not worry about it if this thing happens once in a while. Your baby will stop making such noises in sleep as he gets older. You won’t even remember that your baby used to sleep in such a weird way.

However, moms should not ignore such things too often. Mothers must pay attention to certain situations to avoid further issues. Suppose your newborn baby has runny nose or cold, the cough can flow back towards the throat. The baby may make coughing noises in his sleep. It is an indication that your baby needs a quick cure to get rid of an irritating cold issue.

Cough and cold can irritate anyone, even a newborn child. These things cause inflammation in the throat and then the baby makes weird noises while breathing. Moms should notice such problems and seek medical attention to comfort their child.

Do Babies Make Sounds When They Are Hungry?

Probably all the new parents want to reveal how a baby communicates when he is hungry. They learn it with time, but initially, they all get worried about the baby’s needs.

You must know that every baby needs food after a few hours. Babies may feel hungry during the day time and also in the middle of the night. Those hunger cravings can be a driver of newborn sleeping sound.

Babies usually suck their thumb, fists, smack both lips, start fussing, and they whimper when they feel hungry. It is their way of telling parents that it is the time to feed. You should focus on such sounds if you have a newborn baby at home. It will help you in keeping your baby happy throughout the day and night.

It is an evolutionary benefit for newborns to be noisy when they feel hungry. Caregivers get this sign and provide babies with their meals to comfort them. Some babies learn to suck their fingers or anything that comes near their mouth. They do it even when they are not hungry. So, moms should know that some babies keep sucking fingers and other things, even when they are full. 

It is easy to identify that sucking sound. Some babies put their thumb or fist in the mouth while sleeping. Some energetic babies can play for several minutes. Their activities make them tired and thus they become a bit noisy when they sleep. Some parents still find it daunting to understand why the baby is making some sounds in his sleep. So, we have explained both normal and concerning scenarios in this post.

Is It Normal for Newborn Babies to Make Sounds in Their Sleep?

It is obvious to get worried about certain things newborn babies do. Their sounds certainly concern parents, especially when they make those sounds in their sleep! Yes, millions of babies make a sound in their sleep and it is completely normal. You should not worry too much about it if your baby is sleeping calmly and not facing any kind of health problem.

Some parents wonder whether their baby is sleeping or awake due to those sounds. Yes, your baby is sleeping and it is completely normal for him to make some sounds in his sleep. You should not disturb the baby and let him sleep calmly as long as he wants. You should learn more about your baby’s sleeping activities to ensure he is fine and healthy. Thus, you can take better care of the baby.

You can differentiate the levels of sleep and awakening in six different states. These states are quiet sleep, which is also known as deep sleep, light sleep, active awakening, quiet awakening, and the sixth state is when the baby feels sleepy or going to sleep. Many experts call the sixth state doze state. The baby’s sleeping states are described below:

1. Quiet sleep state

It is the most soothing experience for parents to see their babies sleep. Newborns have facial muscles completely relaxed in this state of sleep. Their eyes will be completely closed and normal sounds will not disturb their sleep. This is how newborns sleep when they are in a quiet sleep state.

Babies can make slight mouth movements or occasionally startle in this state of sleep. Suppose he wakes up suddenly, he will go to sleep immediately and stay sleeping longer. Babies breathe even when they are in a quiet sleep state. They enjoy the rest and they may sometimes make breathing or humming sounds in the sleep. 

2. Active sleep state

Babies do not sleep too deeply in this state of sleep. Their eyes will remain closed but normal sounds can trouble them and distract them. Babies can occasionally open their eyes while sleeping and look around for a few seconds if they hear some sounds.

Some newborns also tremble for a while in the active sleep state and open their eyelids. Suppose the baby opens his eyes, his eyeballs will move immediately under the eyelids. That’s how newborns sleep in the active sleep state.

It is common for babies to breathe irregularly when they are not in the deep sleep state. Some babies also breathe slightly faster because of activeness. You can see your baby’s legs, hands, or the whole body moving.

Babies sometimes look pretty funny when they are not in deep sleep. They make funny faces, they smile, wake up suddenly, and also frown. That’s what most parents enjoy in the early days of parenthood.

3-4 months old babies make noises like they are chewing, sucking, or eating something. It may worry you, but do not get frightened. Many babies make such sounds when they are in the active sleep state. Babies stay in this state of sleep before awakening. So, you should get ready to play with the newborn or feed him when he is in the active state of sleep.

3. Sleepy state

Many babies wake up and start crying before they go to sleep. They feel sleepy and still find it difficult to go to sleep. Their eyes remain half-open and half-closed. It seems like the baby is struggling to go to sleep. The baby can stay calm or cry if he is in this state of sleep. 

You can easily recognize that the baby is feeling sleepy because his eyes will close and open time-and-again. The baby won’t respond to every sound he hears. Some babies give a cute smile, purse their lips, or suck their fist before going to sleep. Mild startle is common in this state of sleep.

You must ensure there is a quiet and comforting environment in the room when the baby is trying to sleep. Your newborn baby may get upset if you continue making sounds around him when he is sleepy. It can affect the baby’s mood and then he will start crying.

You should stay around the baby when he is in the sleepy state. Newborn or 2-4 months old babies can get scared when they find themselves alone. So, pat your baby gently and sing some cradle songs to comfort your child.

4. Awakening states

Babies enjoy two states of awakening, quiet and active awakening states. Most of the babies stay in the quiet awakening state before going to sleep or right after waking up. Just like adults, they like quiet and comforting environment in this state.

The active awakening state is when the baby is fully awake and playing in is rocker or bed. This is the time when parents should be with the newborn. You can talk to the baby and play with him to keep the baby entertained.

As you know, babies sleep only for 2-3 hours and then they wake up. Moms should monitor their babies throughout the day during the first five months. It is the time when your baby needs your full attention. So, complete your household chores when the baby is sleeping and focus on the sounds we have described in this post. Thus, you will know when your baby is fine and when he needs your attention.

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