Babies make noises when they sleep because their bodies and systems, such as breathing and digestion, are still developing and function differently from adults, leading to grunts, whimpers, snorts, and gurgles that are usually normal and harmless.
Common Causes of Sleep Noises
- Immature digestive system : Babies’ digestive tracts are learning to handle food, gas, and bowel movements, which can cause grunting, rumbling, and other noises, especially after feeding.
- Nasal breathing : Newborns only breathe through their noses for the first several months, and their small nasal passages can easily get congested, causing snorting, wheezing, and whistling.
- Active sleep/REM sleep : Babies spend a lot more time in REM sleep (light, active sleep) than adults, leading to movements, facial expressions, cries, and various noises.
- Short sleep cycles : Because babies frequently drift in and out of sleep, sounds are often made as they switch between cycles or prepare to wake up.
- Hunger and rooting reflex : Babies may make sucking, lip-smacking, or “rooting” noises if they’re hungry during sleep.
When to Be Concerned
- Most sleep noises in babies are normal, but if breathing seems labored, persistent, or accompanied by signs of illness, it's important to consult a doctor.
- Noises tend to reduce as babies’ bodies mature and their airways and digestive systems develop.
Typical Sleep Noises
- Grunting, gurgling, snorting, burping, passing gas, moaning, and hiccuping are all common in baby sleep.
- As they grow, these noises usually decrease.
These sleep sounds are part of normal development and rarely indicate a problem, so most noisy sleep isn’t something to worry about unless it’s accompanied by distress or abnormal symptoms.
