Things That Can Make a Baby Grunt a Lot

Even before babies can talk, they're not quiet. They make a variety of noises, from squeals to grunts. Grunts occur while your baby sleeps and when he's awake, and the noise can signify several issues -- or mean nothing at all, except that he's discovered the ability to make a new sound. Sometimes, however, grunting is a symptom that something's wrong.

  1. Sleeping

    • When your baby sleeps, she's not always silent. It's common for babies to moan, squeal, snort, whine, grunt or even cry while she's still asleep. The noises are typically short and relatively quiet. Sleeping noises are normal -- even grunting -- as long as they are sporadic and short-lived. If a noise such as grunting continues with every breath, take your baby to the pediatrician.

    Pooping

    • Your baby might grunt as he's trying to defecate. His body is still trying to figure out the whole digestive process, and getting his urge to defecate and his pushing talents to coincide takes a bit of practice. While a little grunting with each poop is normal, if it continues more than a few seconds and he appears to be straining too hard, or if the poop won't come out or is overly firm when it does, your baby might be constipated. Call your pediatrician for over-the-counter ways to help your baby with his issue.

    Reflux

    • Babies who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, or GER, do more than just spit up a bit of their meal. They actually regurgitate some of the breast milk or formula into the esophagus, sometimes up into their throats or out their mouths. According to Dr. William Sears, at Parenting.com, this can lead to grunting as your baby tries to clear her throat. The grunting occurs while your baby is awake or when she's sleeping. Check with your pediatrician for ways to help her reflux.

    Breathing Problem

    • When your baby grunts with nearly every breath, he might have a serious respiratory problem. A few grunts here and there don't necessarily mean there's an issue, but when he grunts continuously, he's likely having trouble breathing. Typically, a baby in some form of respiratory distress will grunt at the end of a breath as he tries to open his blocked airways. Take your baby to the doctor immediately if you notice grunting with each breath, fast breathing or flaring nostrils as he tries to breathe.

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