Is It Normal for Babies to Snore?
By Dr. Zainab Arsiwala, Fellowship-Trained Pediatric ENT Surgeon, DHA Licensed, Dubai | Medically Reviewed: September 2026
If you have noticed your baby making a soft snoring or snorting sound while sleeping, you may wonder, is it normal for babies to snore? Occasional noisy breathing can happen, especially when a baby’s nose is blocked or congested. However, frequent, loud, or persistent baby snoring deserves closer attention.
Babies have small nasal passages and airways, so even mild congestion can make breathing sound noisy during sleep. If your baby snores regularly, pauses while breathing, gasps, or seems to struggle for breath, a pediatric ENT evaluation can help identify the cause.
What is the baby snoring?
Baby snoring is a rough or vibrating sound during sleep caused by airflow through a narrowed upper airway. Relaxed airway tissues can vibrate as your baby breathes. Not every noisy sound during sleep is snoring. Babies may also make sounds such as:
- Snuffling: Often caused by nasal congestion or mucus.
- Wheezing: A musical or whistling sound when breathing.
- Stridor: A high-pitched sound linked to upper airway narrowing.
Congestion can make a baby’s breathing sound noisy during sleep. Baby snoring that is frequent or loud, especially with breathing pauses, gasping, choking, feeding difficulties, or skin color changes, should be assessed for an underlying airway or breathing problem.
What causes snoring in babies and toddlers?
The causes of toddler snoring may differ from those in newborns. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies, and nasal congestion can narrow the airway and cause noisy sleep breathing.
If you are wondering why my newborn is snoring, nasal blockage or conditions such as laryngomalacia may also contribute, particularly when symptoms persist. Common causes of occasional noisy breathing include:
- Nasal congestion: Colds, dry air, dust, smoke, or a little milk around the back of the nose can make breathing sound noisy. This is a common cause of newborn snoring.
- Narrow nasal passages: Since babies have small nasal passages, even a small amount of mucus can make their breathing sound snore-like or congested. This often becomes less noticeable as they grow.
- Sleep position: The way a baby’s head and neck are positioned can affect airflow. For safe sleep, always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Feeding-related symptoms: Some babies with airway or ENT problems may also have coughing, choking, noisy breathing, or difficulty during feeds. If feeding and breathing problems occur together, a pediatric ENT assessment can help identify the underlying cause.
If your baby snorts a lot, it may simply be due to noisy nasal breathing, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a pediatric ENT. Dr. Zainab Arsiwala evaluates snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, laryngomalacia, airway concerns, and nasal problems to identify the underlying cause.
When should you be concerned about baby snoring?
Occasional newborn snoring during congestion may improve once the nose clears. However, parents should seek medical advice if their baby:
- Snores loudly or frequently
- Has pauses in breathing
- Gasps, chokes, or struggles to breathe during sleep
- Breathes through the mouth regularly
- Has restless or disturbed sleep
- Has difficulty feeding or gaining weight
- Appears unusually tired or irritable during the day
- Develops blue or grey colouring around the lips or face
Breathing pauses, significant breathing difficulty, or changes in skin colour require prompt medical attention.
How should you help if your baby snores?
If your baby snores because of a blocked nose, a few simple steps may make breathing more comfortable. Saline drops, gentle suction, a cool-mist humidifier, and regular feeds can help.
What you can do
- Use saline and suction: A few saline drops can help loosen mucus before gently suctioning the nose, particularly before feeds or bedtime.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier: This may help add moisture to the air. Clean and dry the humidifier daily to prevent buildup.
- Continue regular feeds: Babies under 6 months should not be given water unless advised by a healthcare professional.
- Keep sleep flat and safe: Always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface. Avoid pillows, blankets, wedges, and inclined sleepers.
What to avoid
Avoid over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in young children unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional. Camphor, menthol products, and essential oils should also not be used around infants without medical advice.
How is infant snoring evaluated?
A pediatric ENT will ask when the snoring started, how often it occurs, and whether your baby has pauses in breathing, gasping, noisy breathing, or feeding difficulties. A short video of your baby’s breathing during sleep can also be helpful.
The nose, throat, and airway may be checked for congestion, narrowing, laryngomalacia, or other causes. If sleep-disordered breathing is suspected, a sleep study may be recommended based on your baby’s age and symptoms.
When should you seek medical help?
Occasional noisy breathing may be less concerning when your baby is comfortable, feeding well, and breathing normally. If your newborn snores during a cold or period of nasal congestion, the sound may improve as the nose clears.Persistent snoring or symptoms such as pauses, gasping, choking, or skin color changes should be evaluated by a pediatric ENT.
Why choose Dr. Zainab Arsiwala for pediatric ENT care?
When your baby snores regularly, you may wonder whether it is due to congestion or something that needs attention. Dr. Zainab Arsiwala is a fellowship-trained Pediatric ENT Surgeon in Dubai who cares for children from newborns through adolescence, with a clinical focus on snoring, airway disorders, sleep apnea, laryngomalacia, and nasal congestion. Her approach includes:
- Careful assessment of breathing and sleep symptoms
- Age-appropriate pediatric ENT evaluation
- Medical-first treatment when appropriate
- Evaluation of airway and nasal conditions
- Clear explanations for parents
- Treatment planning based on the individual child
Is it normal for babies to snore? Get expert advice
Regular snoring can sometimes be linked to an underlying nasal or airway problem, and the signs may not always be obvious at first. An early assessment can clarify what is causing the snoring and whether your baby needs any treatment.
Dr. Zainab Arsiwala can evaluate your baby’s breathing, sleep patterns, and other symptoms to understand what may be causing the snoring. If needed, she can recommend the appropriate next steps to help your baby breathe and sleep more comfortably.
Book a pediatric ENT consultation today to discuss your baby’s snoring or other breathing concerns.
FAQs
Is it normal for newborns to snore?
Mild newborn snoring can occur with nasal congestion. Frequent or loud snoring, breathing pauses, gasping, or breathing difficulty should be assessed.
Do newborns snore?
Yes, babies can snore.
Do babies snore because something is wrong?
Not necessarily. Occasional infant snoring may happen with congestion or a blocked nose. However, babies snoring frequently or loudly should be assessed for an underlying airway or nasal problem.
Is baby snoring normal during sleep?
Occasional baby snoring may occur with congestion. Whether baby snoring is normal depends on how often it happens and whether your baby has breathing difficulties. Frequent or loud snoring should be evaluated.
Is it normal for a baby to snore every night?
Regular snoring should be discussed with a pediatric ENT. Frequent snoring may be linked to an underlying nasal or airway problem.
What causes 2 month old snoring?
2 month old snoring is often related to nasal congestion and small nasal passages. Frequent snoring or breathing difficulties should be assessed.
Should babies snore when they sleep?
Babies may occasionally snore or snort while sleeping. However, if you are wondering should babies snore regularly or loud, persistent snoring should be assessed.
Is it normal for babies to snore loudly?
Regular loud snoring should not be ignored. Baby snoring when sleeping is more concerning if it happens most nights or comes with gasping, breathing pauses, restless sleep, or feeding difficulties.
Why does my baby snore and sound congested?
When a baby snores and sounds congested, a cold, mucus, or nasal swelling may be responsible. Mild congestion can make breathing noisier during sleep.
Can baby snoring be a sign of sleep apnea?
Persistent baby snoring can sometimes be linked to sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea. If your baby has pauses in breathing, gasps, or chokes during sleep, it is important to have these symptoms assessed.
When should I see a pediatric ENT for infant snoring?
If infant snoring happens often or continues, especially with pauses in breathing, gasping, mouth breathing, or feeding difficulties, a pediatric ENT can help assess the cause.If infant snoring happens often or continues, especially with pauses in breathing, gasping, mouth breathing, or feeding difficulties, a pediatric ENT can help assess the cause.
Is it normal for a baby to snore when congested?
Yes, congestion can make a baby sound noisy during sleep. If the baby snores after the congestion clears or develops breathing difficulties, seek medical advice.
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About the author
Dr. Zainab Arsiwala
Dr. Zainab Arsiwala is a fellowship-trained Pediatric ENT Surgeon in Dubai, holding dual DHA licenses in both ENT and Specialist Pediatric ENT, one of the few doctors in the region with this distinction.
She trained at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, with advanced airway observerships at CHUV (Switzerland) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (USA). She holds a Fellowship from the European Board of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) and a DNB in ENT.
Currently practising at Tarabichi ENT Institute and JTS Medical Centre, Dubai, she provides evidence-based, child-focused ENT care for conditions ranging from ear infections and hearing loss to complex airway and syndromic cases.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. For personalised advice, diagnosis, or treatment tailored to your condition, book a consultation with Dr. Zainab Arsiwala.
