Grunting/straining sounds all night

mle106

My 3 week old has started making all kinds of strange grunting/straining sounds in the middle of the night. He is an extremely quiet sleeper during the day (he mostly naps on us or in our arms) but as soon as it's bedtime and he goes in his RNP the sounds start and continue practically all throughout the night. It's very disruptive to our sleep since it's so loud, and I'm constantly worried it might be from gas or he can't breathe because that's what it sounds like, but he seems fine when I check on him.

He nurses on demand, about every 3 hrs at night, but I feel like the sounds are just constant in between that. We swaddle and use white noise.

Anyone else experience this? I'm a FTM and very sleep deprived as a result!

armm

@mle106 I'm on the same exact boat. The noises my LO makes when she's not in our arms definitely gets me all worked up. My LO is now 5 weeks old and she's been making all sorts of noises from the get go. In time you'll get to know what her noises mean. For instance my LO makes more noise right before waking because she's straining to poop. She's ok, we've learned that she really just hates pooping and the feeling of a dirty diaper. It gets better, I feel that the worrying is normal, it gets better. Good luck! Know that you're not alone.

Krizzista

My son also grunts a lot, and I have noticed when he gets really loud, it is because he is trying to poop. He also grunts all night and sounds congested at times, but it comes in waves and he will get quiet again. I've read that it is very normal for newborns, nothing to worry about! Hope you can start getting some more sleep!

loriann091

My daughter does that too, and my doctor said it was reflux and she would grow out of it. I notice during the day when she is in her swing (more upright) she doesn't make those sounds as often. Try making sure your baby sleeps in a semi-upright position (put towels under the mattress to get it at an incline). Also, some babies are just noisy! Lastly, the congestion could be your baby reacting to/getting used to your hormones as well. I hear that should also subside over time!

mommaa1615

My daughter makes a ton of noises &; also moves a lot. At first I couldnt sleep but at 3 weeks today I finally learned her noises. It is very disruptive lol I accepted the fact I wont be sleeping normal for a long time

mle106

Thanks everyone, glad my LO isn't the only noisy one! Hopefully I'll get used to his sounds soon.

Kvooys

My little guy is the exact same way. Of course my mind went crazy thinking he was struggling to pass gas or poop, then I thought he had acid reflux, and then I thought sleep apnea or asthma. 

We just started him in his nursery and because it's close enough to our bedroom that I can hear him without the monitor I turned it off. That way I can't hear every single little noise he makes but I can hear him when he starts to fuss. For peace of mind I got a humidifier and put lavender in it, a noise machine, small night light, elevated his mattress a few inches, and even though I thought he hated being swaddled I gave it another try but now I make sure he is fully settled before I leave him on his own. Before he would panick when swaddled. Now I rock him to sleep them put him down with my hands on him and "shhhhshing" and slowly take my hands off and walk away shhhhshing. Works like a charm. He now sleeps 2-4 hours at a time (and me too!)

excitedbride11

My daughter is soooooo loud! She grunts all night and is so stretchy! It kept me up
For a while but she's perfectly healthy and doc said its common! It's amazing how many different noises she can make! I do don't sleep at all for the first week but have grown used to it...you're not alone!

mperez95

Krizzista said:

My son also grunts a lot, and I have noticed when he gets really loud, it is because he is trying to poop. He also grunts all night and sounds congested at times, but it comes in waves and he will get quiet again. I've read that it is very normal for newborns, nothing to worry about! Hope you can start getting some more sleep!

To OP, most of my answer is summed up here.. I also asked my ped. And 2 week check up about wierd noises & grunting & she assured me that babies make plenty of wierd noises while their voice boxes are developing.. I could've sworn baby had asthma due to wheezing sound so I recorded it along with other sounds to show the doctor & she said not to worry.

kamirablue

My little one makes a ton of noises too! She sleeps in the room with us so it's hard to tune them out if it's nothing. Glad to hear that is normal and not just our LO