Bakit Umuungol Si Baby? Understanding Newborn Grunting Noises

You’ve just put your little one down to sleep, smiling at how cute they look, when you hear them make all sorts of noises—squeaks, sighs, and low-pitched groans. Listening to your newborn grunting for the first time can feel alarming. Are these just typical sleep sounds, or is your baby actually struggling to breathe?

While babies make many sounds linked to digestion or sleep, respiratory grunting signals breathing issues. To help you figure out what noises are typical and when to seek medical attention, Dr. Sandra Sharlene Lim Uy, a board-certified pediatrician at St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City and Taguig Pateros District Hospital, shares her expert advice.

What Exactly Is Newborn Grunting?

"Grunting is a low-pitched sound babies usually make on expiration [or breathing out]," Dr. Lim Uy explains.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby will be surprisingly noisy right from the start. Instead of just crying, you'll hear plenty of grunts, squeaks, sighs, sneezes, and maybe even those familiar hiccups from your pregnancy! These little sounds and sudden twitches are simply your newborn reacting to their new environment. As Dr. Lim Uy reassures, as long as these types of newborn noises happen during these regular activities, "it’s not a cause for alarm."

However, if your baby makes a repetitive, short, and deep groaning noise every single time they breathe out, you should consult your doctor immediately. This type of grunting could mean they’re forcefully pushing air out against a partially closed vocal cord just to keep oxygen in their lungs.

And remember, if you're ever having a hard time figuring out what your baby's noises mean, it is always best to consult your pediatrician.

Straining vs. Respiratory Grunting: Know the Difference

Because babies are still developing, they often make loud noises when doing simple things, which can confuse parents. Are your baby’s sounds typical, or are they grunting due to respiratory distress?

For example, Dr. Lim Uy notes that babies make noise as they pass stools. "The muscles of their abdomen are also adjusting to their role in this process," she explains. If your baby turns red, pushes hard, and strains for 20 to 30 minutes to pass a soft stool, they might simply have grunting baby syndrome (or infant dyschezia). This is just a phase where they figure out tricky muscle coordination.

Aside from digestion, Dr. Lim Uy points out that babies also make sounds while they’re eating or sleeping. The AAP notes that your newborn’s sleep isn’t always quiet or motionless. As your little one transitions through light sleep cycles, it's completely expected for them to whimper, cry, groan, or make other strange newborn noises.

However, these sounds are entirely different from a pale or blue baby groaning rhythmically with every breath. If the noise is tied to breathing struggles, seek expert advice immediately.

When to Call Your Doctor

Watch for flared nostrils or ribs showing during breaths, as these are signs your baby might be having respiratory distress.

Dr. Lim Uy warns that persistent grunting often signals an underlying infection or respiratory distress. You need to be extra observant, especially if your baby falls into a vulnerable category.

"If grunting persists in cases of prematurity, babies born via cesarean section, babies born through difficult labor, or they are meconium-stained... it becomes a cause for alarm as this would then indicate that the baby is in respiratory distress," she emphasizes.

She adds that you also need to watch closely if your baby has a cold accompanied by physical signs of struggle—such as fast breathing, widening nostrils, bluish skin discoloration, or the skin pulling in around the ribs. If you see these signs alongside the sound, she advises you to head straight to your pediatrician.

Get a Proper Diagnosis

Only after your pediatrician thoroughly checks your baby and completely rules out respiratory distress should you try other measures to comfort your baby.

If your doctor confirms your baby’s grunting sound is strictly related to a stuffy nose, you can safely follow Dr. Lim Uy's advice: "Apply nasal drops or sprays [for babies] then suction with a penguin suction."

If the pediatrician states it's just trapped gas, focus on proper positioning when breastfeeding, ensure you burp your baby properly, and try gentle bicycle exercises to provide safe infant gas relief. You can also “gently press their legs (flexed) to their tummy,” she adds. This puts safe pressure on their abdomen and helps them pass gas or bowels more easily."

Well-meaning relatives might suggest traditional remedies when a baby looks uncomfortable. However, Dr. Lim Uy strongly warns against these, especially during a medical emergency. "Sometimes an elderly relative may say to massage the tummy or use manzanilla, but this isn't advisable as it can cause a reaction in the baby’s skin, or if it gets to the eyes, can cause irritation."

Always Trust Your Pediatrician

Keeping your baby upright and burping them after meals helps lower the extra gas that causes typical noises and discomfort.

If your baby is struggling to breathe, you need to treat it as a medical emergency. You should immediately call your pediatrician or head straight to the nearest hospital emergency room (ER).

Hearing your newborn grunting can be upsetting. The most crucial takeaway is to never brush off repetitive, breathing-related grunts as a regular phase. By learning the difference between typical newborn noises and actual respiratory grunting, you give your baby the best chance at immediate, life-saving care. Always trust your instincts and let a trusted medical professional ensure your little one’s safety.

You're not alone in figuring out these tricky baby stages! Connect with other parents on the ParenTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group to share your own experiences with newborn grunting.