What Is Infant Snoring
It’s quit normal to be concerned about infant snoring. In fact, if you are a new parent then you likely will wonder about every little thing your baby does. As always, be sure you tell your doctor if your infant is snoring. You always want to cover your bases.
In addition to that you will want to strongly consider whether or not you are doing all you can to maximize the health of your infant. Not being a woman I can’t say I understand this, but some mothers just do not want to breastfeed their baby. I respect your decision, but please understand that this is the worst thing you can do for the health of your baby; and for what? Because you don’t feel comfortable? If can’t for medical reasons then I can understand. But otherwise, start breastfeeding your baby now if you aren’t already. In your breast milk are essential nutrients that DO NOT exist in powdered formulas that strengthen the infant’s immune system. Breastfed babies rarely get sick, while those on formula often get sick. Your infant snoring could very well be caused by mucous buildup as a result of the infant being ill.
Infant snoring can be caused by several things, and as you will see many of them are due to sickness. Because infants do not breathe through their mouth, if they have any nasal congestion they will tend to snore. Nasal congestion can be caused by allergies or colds. Some studies have shown that if the parents snore the infant is likely to snore as well. This may be related to familial allergies or inherited facial and throat structure. Determining the cause of the infant snoring can help the parents intervene appropriately.
How Do You Stop Infant Snoring?
The first step is to keep your baby from getting sick which you can do by breastfeeding him or her. If the baby is already ill, then you can try the following.
Suction Bulb
A suction bulb can such out mucous to stop infant snoring. Most parents are familiar with suction bulbs but do not use them enough. Using a suction bulb before bed or nap time may clear the nasal passageway enough to allow quiet breathing.
Saline Spray and Humidifier
If you don’t like the idea of using the suction bulb then try these methods. Many pediatricians recommend a basic saline spray to help clear the nasal cavity. These sprays can be bought over-the-counter is the local drug store. Parents just need to be cautious to by only a saline spray and not a nasal spray with medication unless advised by their physician. Another easy home remedy is using a humidifier in the baby’s room. Humidified air can help keep the nasal discharge moist so it is more easily moved through the nasal passageways.
Conclusion
Again, infant snoring is mostly due to mucous buildup that occurs because the infant is sick. Most infants get sick when they are not breastfed. So, step one is to breastfeed your baby. As already mentioned, be sure your doctor is aware of the condition. In rare instances there could be a more serious issue that may require medical intervention. Otherwise, infant snoring in generally harmless and will go away when the baby gets well or when you have tried one of the above methods.