Newborn snuffles
August 2, 2020 4:31 AM Subscribe
Should I be worried and what can I do about my newborn's noisy breathing, particularly at night?
Please bear with me as I'm a bit sleep deprived and anxious!
Baby is 4 weeks old. Was born in a hurry (super quick labour, sub 4 hours of active) so when she was sniffly in hospital they told me it was just newborn congestion which should pass.
I feel like I can't put her down to sleep because she snores then sputters, but if she is held upright her breathing is easier. I try and put her in her bassinet in safe sleep mode so I can sleep, but she sounds absolutely awful, and I feel like I can't leave her. She cries, too, I feel like she wakes herself.
I bought a nosefrida (nose suction) but depressingly, I tried it and no mucous came out. This was crushing because I thought I'd found a solution.
We got a humidifier and it seems to help a little- she has less day time congestion but nights are still bad.
Have also tried drops of breast milk in her nose.
I've had a cold (got swabbed, not COVID) so maybe she has it too?
She is feeding great and making the right number of wet and dirty nappies.
Sometimes when feeding it's like she gets too much and coughs, she also seems to drool milk out her mouth.
Googling is terrifying- it's either "this is standard newborn" or "difficulty breathing? Call hospital!"
I feel paralysed, I haven't slept because I've been holding her at night and I'm anxious.
With covid in our community I don't really want to truck into the ER unnecessarily, and she doesn't seem that bad??
Please bear with me as I'm a bit sleep deprived and anxious!
Baby is 4 weeks old. Was born in a hurry (super quick labour, sub 4 hours of active) so when she was sniffly in hospital they told me it was just newborn congestion which should pass.
I feel like I can't put her down to sleep because she snores then sputters, but if she is held upright her breathing is easier. I try and put her in her bassinet in safe sleep mode so I can sleep, but she sounds absolutely awful, and I feel like I can't leave her. She cries, too, I feel like she wakes herself.
I bought a nosefrida (nose suction) but depressingly, I tried it and no mucous came out. This was crushing because I thought I'd found a solution.
We got a humidifier and it seems to help a little- she has less day time congestion but nights are still bad.
Have also tried drops of breast milk in her nose.
I've had a cold (got swabbed, not COVID) so maybe she has it too?
She is feeding great and making the right number of wet and dirty nappies.
Sometimes when feeding it's like she gets too much and coughs, she also seems to drool milk out her mouth.
Googling is terrifying- it's either "this is standard newborn" or "difficulty breathing? Call hospital!"
I feel paralysed, I haven't slept because I've been holding her at night and I'm anxious.
With covid in our community I don't really want to truck into the ER unnecessarily, and she doesn't seem that bad??
It is normal for newborns to be really loud and snuffly sleepers.
But if this is bothering you, and it sounds like it is, is there any medical solution available to you that isn’t the ER? A GP or a public health nurse? I don’t think it’s an emergency but if it will help you sleep easier then get it looked at. Good luck!
posted by Concordia at 4:56 AM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
But if this is bothering you, and it sounds like it is, is there any medical solution available to you that isn’t the ER? A GP or a public health nurse? I don’t think it’s an emergency but if it will help you sleep easier then get it looked at. Good luck!
posted by Concordia at 4:56 AM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
If it's available, could you do a telehealth video call with someone, even if it's not her regular pediatrician, while she's sleeping (napping? is it different during the day?). They'd be able to walk you through correctly interpreting those checklists to accurately determine whether this is truly the kind of "trouble breathing" that would warrant a trip in. I suspect Google is being alarmist, just like when it says that basically anything could mean one is dying of cancer, but then actual medical people roll their eyes because there are a dozen better explanations. The nosefrida thing was, by the way, way too huge for my baby's nostrils and did nothing, but a different product that had removable tips so one could choose the size was much more efficient. That wasn't at all obvious to me at first; I just figured not putting an object into a baby's nose was a good thing, but actually the one with a more inverted funnel shape was entirely safe too.
I'm sorry you're so tired! I wish someone could come hold her for you so you could rest.
posted by teremala at 5:19 AM on August 2, 2020
I'm sorry you're so tired! I wish someone could come hold her for you so you could rest.
posted by teremala at 5:19 AM on August 2, 2020
Ok I am just one data point but OMG my daughter was like this and I could not fucking sleep because I constantly thought she was choking or gagging or couldn’t breathe. We ended up tilting her side cot a little and that seemed to help but not much.
I obviously can’t actually hear what your baby sounds like but I just want to let you know it sounds really familiar and it sucked (and she was/is fine).
Now, this is not advice and would be not recommend but just FYI I actually ended up sleeping with her on my chest a lot. I was propped up with pillows so we were at a bit of an upright angle. I actually did this on the suggestion of my lactation consultant because she would only sleep while being held and the consultant told me to do what I needed to do for us both to sleep and gave me loads of advice and facts about co-sleeping to give me confidence (always in bed, don’t drink).
I was so paranoid but it worked. I didn’t roll over, she didn’t roll off. She was waking every 2 hours for a feed and I just went into a deep yet at the same time light sleep with her on me. I think we did this for maybe 3 weeks when I was finally able to transition to putting her down on her back in the side crib. Still noisy but I was feeling a bit more confident that she was just a noisy sleeper.
My husband slept through it all -_-
posted by like_neon at 5:25 AM on August 2, 2020 [5 favorites]
I obviously can’t actually hear what your baby sounds like but I just want to let you know it sounds really familiar and it sucked (and she was/is fine).
Now, this is not advice and would be not recommend but just FYI I actually ended up sleeping with her on my chest a lot. I was propped up with pillows so we were at a bit of an upright angle. I actually did this on the suggestion of my lactation consultant because she would only sleep while being held and the consultant told me to do what I needed to do for us both to sleep and gave me loads of advice and facts about co-sleeping to give me confidence (always in bed, don’t drink).
I was so paranoid but it worked. I didn’t roll over, she didn’t roll off. She was waking every 2 hours for a feed and I just went into a deep yet at the same time light sleep with her on me. I think we did this for maybe 3 weeks when I was finally able to transition to putting her down on her back in the side crib. Still noisy but I was feeling a bit more confident that she was just a noisy sleeper.
My husband slept through it all -_-
posted by like_neon at 5:25 AM on August 2, 2020 [5 favorites]
Haha, my baby snuffled and snorted and grunted so much I remember posting to LiveJournal about it.
Please do not put milk or anything else in her little nose. Aspirating foreign substances could be very dangerous for her.
Your baby is 99% likely just being a regular snuffly newborn, but you should record her and play it for your pediatrician anyway for your peace of mind. The milk drooling sounds perfectly normal too but feel free to send a movie of it.
The humidifier is ok, but don't let it raise the temp in the room to a stifling level with steam: again, not good for baby - ped told me this was SIDS risk.
and -- 4 weeks eh. Yeah, you're deep in the hardest part of the 4th trimester. It's so hard. If there's anyone who can trade off being in the room with her while you get some solid hours of sleep...
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:51 AM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
Please do not put milk or anything else in her little nose. Aspirating foreign substances could be very dangerous for her.
Your baby is 99% likely just being a regular snuffly newborn, but you should record her and play it for your pediatrician anyway for your peace of mind. The milk drooling sounds perfectly normal too but feel free to send a movie of it.
The humidifier is ok, but don't let it raise the temp in the room to a stifling level with steam: again, not good for baby - ped told me this was SIDS risk.
and -- 4 weeks eh. Yeah, you're deep in the hardest part of the 4th trimester. It's so hard. If there's anyone who can trade off being in the room with her while you get some solid hours of sleep...
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:51 AM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
I think this is probably normal, search for "periodic breathing." Newborns are very noisy breathers and they have irregular breathing rhythms until they're ~3 months old. But you can always always call the pediatrician's! It is worth it to take her in if you are worried. I am sure they are taking the best precautions at the doctor's and it is safer to bring her to the doctor than you think. Please call them ASAP just to be sure.
And don't put anything in her nose without checking with the doctor! Saline is probably okay but you should still check.
And please do not let her sleep on you, or in any position except flat on her back! I know this sounds hard. But positional asphyxia and SIDS are real. She will learn to sleep.
posted by epanalepsis at 5:55 AM on August 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
And don't put anything in her nose without checking with the doctor! Saline is probably okay but you should still check.
And please do not let her sleep on you, or in any position except flat on her back! I know this sounds hard. But positional asphyxia and SIDS are real. She will learn to sleep.
posted by epanalepsis at 5:55 AM on August 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
Both my kids were like this. I called my first "pig baby" for a while; I just could not believe how loud she was.
I do suggest calling your doctor to be sure, but hope that the anecdotes of how common this is will also be reassuring.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 6:03 AM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
I do suggest calling your doctor to be sure, but hope that the anecdotes of how common this is will also be reassuring.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 6:03 AM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
Take a video recording at night so that you can show your doctor. I also suspect it's very normal.
I spend too much time on Reddit parenting subs, and someone posted a similar question, these responses might be of interest.
posted by stray at 7:11 AM on August 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
I spend too much time on Reddit parenting subs, and someone posted a similar question, these responses might be of interest.
posted by stray at 7:11 AM on August 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
Call your doctor. You feel worried because she doesn't seem to be breathing easily. I feel like I can't put her down to sleep because she snores then sputters, but if she is held upright her breathing is easier. Ask if it would be okay to elevate one end of her crib, since lying flat seems to be an issue. It's probably fine, but your worry is worth paying attention to. Come back and let us know how she's doing.
posted by theora55 at 7:19 AM on August 2, 2020
posted by theora55 at 7:19 AM on August 2, 2020
Check with yours, obviously, but our paediatrician has us using saline to clear out the back of our 6 week old’s nose. It’s making a difference!
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 8:26 AM on August 2, 2020
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 8:26 AM on August 2, 2020
Just chiming in (with my 5 week old sounding like a rooting warthog in the background) to "nth" the "it's normal" narrative.
Our little person benefits from first a little saline spray, THEN the nose frida. When we were just trying to suck the dry boogers nothing would happen.
The saline spray was recommended by the doctor. We turn baby's head to the side and do the teeniest amount in both nostrils, then immediately vacuum it out.
Baby breathes better but is always noisy and inconsistent, which our doctor reassured us is 100% fine!
I'm right there with you on the worrying though, but you are also 100% fine! Try to get some sleep, aided by partner or helper if you have one. Even like 2 hours helps.
Hugs from afar, in a parallel milk-soaked anxiety land.
posted by Temeraria at 8:36 AM on August 2, 2020
Our little person benefits from first a little saline spray, THEN the nose frida. When we were just trying to suck the dry boogers nothing would happen.
The saline spray was recommended by the doctor. We turn baby's head to the side and do the teeniest amount in both nostrils, then immediately vacuum it out.
Baby breathes better but is always noisy and inconsistent, which our doctor reassured us is 100% fine!
I'm right there with you on the worrying though, but you are also 100% fine! Try to get some sleep, aided by partner or helper if you have one. Even like 2 hours helps.
Hugs from afar, in a parallel milk-soaked anxiety land.
posted by Temeraria at 8:36 AM on August 2, 2020
Best answer: Call your pediatrician. They can help you sort it out. Take videos or audio recordings so you can show them via telehealth or in person if you go in. It is likely completely fine/normal but they can help you decide and it’s good for your peace of mind. Hang in there, these early days are so hard!
posted by bananacabana at 9:11 AM on August 2, 2020
posted by bananacabana at 9:11 AM on August 2, 2020
My daughter was like this. I took videos to show them to her ped. At first it was normal baby stuff, but ended up with daily breathing treatments and eventually several ENT surgeries. Trust your gut but also bring evidence to the doctor.
posted by notjustthefish at 10:59 AM on August 2, 2020
posted by notjustthefish at 10:59 AM on August 2, 2020
Yep super common, ours was in a neonatal ICU at the time and the doctors and nurses were not stressed about it AT ALL.
Besides what you've tried, all I can suggest is nasal saline spray, and raising the head of the cot. Nothing SOLVED the problem, but they all helped a LITTLE.
Don't know if it was coincidence, but the end of winter also pretty much coincided with a significant reductions in snuffiliness.
posted by trialex at 3:20 PM on August 2, 2020
Besides what you've tried, all I can suggest is nasal saline spray, and raising the head of the cot. Nothing SOLVED the problem, but they all helped a LITTLE.
Don't know if it was coincidence, but the end of winter also pretty much coincided with a significant reductions in snuffiliness.
posted by trialex at 3:20 PM on August 2, 2020
I had to move my newborn from the bassinet next to my bed to the crib in his room because he was such a noisy sleeper. My husband slept through the whole thing, but it kept me awake. Once I moved the baby next door I slept so much better.
I’d like to gently say that the level of anxiety you’re feeling is kind of normal but may be creeping toward higher post-partum anxiety levels. You might want to talk to the pediatrician about how you’re feeling when you ask about your tiny noisy sleeper. You might be able to get help for the both of you.
posted by Maarika at 4:51 AM on August 3, 2020
I’d like to gently say that the level of anxiety you’re feeling is kind of normal but may be creeping toward higher post-partum anxiety levels. You might want to talk to the pediatrician about how you’re feeling when you ask about your tiny noisy sleeper. You might be able to get help for the both of you.
posted by Maarika at 4:51 AM on August 3, 2020
Best answer: Sounds like a call to your ped would be useful, but I just want to tell you that I was in your exact same position with my newborn. Turns out lots of newborns just do this, and NO ONE tells you about it. I was up in the wee hours taking videos and googling all the worst things, and it's actually just a normal thing. WHY does no one tell new parents this?!? Anyway, my babby stopped being so loud at night around 8 weeks maybe? It just...went away. Fingers crossed you are able to get some better rest soon.
posted by just_ducky at 9:11 PM on August 3, 2020
posted by just_ducky at 9:11 PM on August 3, 2020
Best answer: +n to comments, 1) I am another parent who was shocked how loud and snortly a newborn in your bedroom is, 2) but take a recording and call your pediatrician, it's a very normal thing to call about.
I'd just add from our history that a doctor can tell quite a lot from a recording of breathing, by the tone and timing of the noise, and also video appearance (cover the whole waist up) -- whether it's coming from nose/mouth or airway or lungs, whether there's any serious trouble (I don't think there is, I mean that they can say with some real confidence there's not).
posted by away for regrooving at 12:06 AM on August 4, 2020
I'd just add from our history that a doctor can tell quite a lot from a recording of breathing, by the tone and timing of the noise, and also video appearance (cover the whole waist up) -- whether it's coming from nose/mouth or airway or lungs, whether there's any serious trouble (I don't think there is, I mean that they can say with some real confidence there's not).
posted by away for regrooving at 12:06 AM on August 4, 2020
Best answer: tilting her side cot a little
I actually ended up sleeping with her on my chest a lot
raising the head of the cot
Ask if it would be okay to elevate one end of her crib
Just a note to the OP and anyone reading - please don't ever allow your baby to sleep elevated! Parenting is hard and you need sleep and so do they, but babies should never sleep in anything that has an angle of more than 10% for safety. Please don't. You might get lucky, but your kid could also die. If you're having trouble, call your doctor for advice...but don't do anything unsafe just because people on the internet said it was okay.
posted by epanalepsis at 6:16 PM on August 9, 2020
I actually ended up sleeping with her on my chest a lot
raising the head of the cot
Ask if it would be okay to elevate one end of her crib
Just a note to the OP and anyone reading - please don't ever allow your baby to sleep elevated! Parenting is hard and you need sleep and so do they, but babies should never sleep in anything that has an angle of more than 10% for safety. Please don't. You might get lucky, but your kid could also die. If you're having trouble, call your doctor for advice...but don't do anything unsafe just because people on the internet said it was okay.
posted by epanalepsis at 6:16 PM on August 9, 2020
Response by poster: Saline spray is pretty good, and what really reassured me was playing a video of her to the maternal child health nurse, who said "yeah that's normal". What a difference two weeks makes- she hasn't died in her sleep yet, so my anxiety has calmed a heck of a lot down. (Sorry that sounds awful, but my anxiety was dialed WAY up.)
posted by freethefeet at 5:19 AM on August 18, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by freethefeet at 5:19 AM on August 18, 2020 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by AlexiaSky at 4:54 AM on August 2, 2020 [3 favorites]