Paediatrics

Newborn Grunting: Understanding the Causes and How to Manage It

admin Apr 23, 2025

New parents often experience new sounds and behaviours, with the most common being newborn grunting. This sound is usually a cause for worry or concern, but experts suggest it is normal and a part of the baby’s development. Understanding the causes of newborn grunting and learning how to manage it will help ease your mind and ensure your baby’s comfort.

What is newborn grunting?

The grunting of newborns is a noise that infants make that is often described as a deep guttural sound. This sound can be heard while feeding, sleeping or in an attempt to get a bowel movement. Grunting is a way for babies to communicate their needs, which may represent various underlying conditions.

Understanding the causes of newborn grunting

Sleep: Newborn grunting in sleep occurs as the baby transitions between sleep cycles. This is usually nothing to worry about and is a normal part of their sleep patterns. Reasons for newborn grunting and squirming while sleeping are:
Newborns spend maximum time in (rapid eye movement) REM sleep, leading to irregular breathing and noises. Their sleep cycles are shorter, causing frequent transitions and occasional crying.
Noises like gurgles and bubbles come from their developing digestive system. Babies may also grunt while learning to coordinate muscles for bowel movements, known as grunting baby syndrome.
Babies make noises like lip-smacking and suckling when hungry, even during sleep. Infants typically need to eat every 2–4 hours overnight, signalling their hunger as mealtime approaches.
Bowel movements: One of the most common reasons for grunting is that the baby is trying to pass a bowel movement.

Common reasons for newborn grunting during bowel movement include:

Newborns have underdeveloped abdominal muscles, so they often need to grunt to push the stool out.
Unlike adults who benefit from gravity while standing, babies usually lie down, making it harder for them to pass stool.
Grunting and straining can be a normal part of the process as babies learn to coordinate their muscles.
If your baby is constipated, you might notice a hard bubble extrude, which triggers crying during bubble movement.
If constipation is accompanied by fever and vomiting, causing a bloated belly, making the baby cry and irritable, such symptoms need medical attention immediately.
Reflexes: Newborns have several reflexes, and grunting can be a part of these reflexes, especially when they are trying to coordinate their movements. Here are some reasons why it happens:
This may be because the digestive system muscles are still developing, and the muscles between the stomach and oesophagus may not always close properly.
Lying horizontally most of the time can contribute to acid reflux.
In rare cases, infant grunting due to reflux can indicate more serious issues, especially if accompanied by loss of weight gain, refusal to eat and frequent vomiting.
Breathing: Babies sometimes grunt when they are learning to coordinate their breathing with feeding. This is especially common in the first few weeks of life. In some cases, the reasons are as follows:
Newborns have small noses and nasal passages.
They primarily breathe through their noses, which aids in feeding.
Their respiratory systems are still developing, leading to a lot of mucus.
Blocked nasal passages can cause strange noises, coughs and sneezes.
Discomfort: If a baby is uncomfortable, they may grunt to express their discomfort. This could be due to a wet diaper, being too hot or cold or feeling gassy.

When to be concerned?

While grunting is usually normal, there are times when it might indicate a more serious issue. If you notice any of the following, it’s a good idea to consult your paediatrician:

Persistent grunting: If the grunting is constant and doesn’t seem to be related to any of the common causes, it could be a sign of a respiratory issue.
Difficulty breathing: If your baby is grunting and also showing signs of difficulty breathing, such as flaring nostrils or a blue tinge to the skin, seek medical attention immediately.
Fever or other symptoms: If grunting is accompanied by a fever, vomiting or other signs of illness, it’s important to have your baby checked by a doctor.

Does the grunting stop?

Many mothers report that the grunting and squirming tend to subside after a few weeks. However, this can vary from one baby to another. For some, the grunting may start right after birth, while for others, it might begin a month later.

It’s important to remember that each child is unique, and their experiences can differ. If the grunting and squirming persist for more than a few weeks, it is advisable to contact your doctor for guidance and support. Your paediatrician can provide reassurance and suggest appropriate measures to help your baby.

In the meantime, try to stay calm and patient, as this phase is usually temporary and part of your baby’s development. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice.

How do you manage newborn grunting?

Comfort measures

Ensure that your baby’s diaper is clean and dry to reduce discomfort and rashes. Change the diapers as needed. If possible, use cotton breathable diapers to minimise irritation.
Make sure that the room is at a comfortable temperature to prevent your baby from feeling too hot or too cold.
Burping your baby after feedings can help reduce gas and discomfort, which can sometimes cause grunting.

Feeding techniques

Ensure your baby is in a comfortable position during feedings. This can help them coordinate their breathing and swallowing more effectively.
If your baby is bottle-fed, try paced feeding to prevent them from swallowing too much air, which can lead to gas and discomfort.

Soothing techniques

Swaddling can provide a sense of security and comfort, which can help reduce grunting.
Playing white noise or gentle music can help soothe your baby and promote better sleep.
Holding your baby close and providing skin-to-skin contact can be very comforting and help regulate their breathing and heart rate.

Consult your paediatrician

Attend regular check-ups with your paediatrician to ensure your baby is growing and developing normally.
Don’t hesitate to ask your paediatrician about any concerns you have regarding your baby’s grunting or other behaviour.

Conclusion

Newborn grunting can be concerning to new parents, but it is a normal physiological behaviour. Understanding the causes and tips on how to manage it can help you to ensure your baby’s comfort and well-being. For any concerns regarding grunting, especially if persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, please seek help or reach out to your paediatrician for guidance.

Our Other Specialties