Baby Grunting: Is It Normal, Causes, And Home Remedies

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Grunting in babies is characterized by short, guttural baby noises that indicate strain, especially when they are trying to pass stool. Babies may grunt to relieve tension, express their irritation or frustration, or gain their parents’ attention. Babies may also grunt when they try to adjust to changes in feeding. However, in most cases, grunting is a sign that the baby is adjusting to passing stools (1).

Grunting in babies is common, but it may be a sign of an underlying problem in some cases. Read this post to learn more about the causes of grunting in babies, ways to interpret grunting sounds, and ways to manage grunting in babies.

Is Grunting Normal In Babies?

Towards the end of the first year, grunting could be used as a means of communication (2). It is informally known as grunting baby syndrome (GBS), which is relatively normal in babies.

It could also be an indication of your baby learning to have a bowel movement. However, in some cases, the sound could be a symptom of an underlying health problem warranting medical attention.

In newborns, grunting may need attention. A recent research study involving 453 babies suggested that all the term and near-term newborns with persistent grunting after birth should be carefully observed and treated if required (3).

What Are The Causes Of Baby Grunting?

While the primary reason for grunting in babies is to aid bowel movements, there are a few other causes for newborn grunting. Let us look at each in detail.

1. Bowel movements: Newborn grunting during a bowel movement is due to the underdeveloped abdominal muscles (1), which requires the baby to push the stools out. When the baby grunts, the larynx is closed and is pushed down along with the diaphragm to aid the bowel movements further.
   

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Dr. Christina Johns, MD, MEd, FAAP, a Maryland-based pediatrician says, “Grunting that results in a successful bowel movement does not mean that a baby is constipated. When a baby is straining, turning red without resultant production of a bowel movement that can be a sign of constipation.”

2. Means of communication: As newborns do not know how to speak, they make a variety of vocalization sounds to communicate such as babbling. Along with squeals, gurglesⁱXThe noises produced due to immature swallow reflux and milk regurgitation. , and laughs, grunting can be a baby’s attempt to self-entertain or communicate. If you find your baby grunting as a result of an external stimulus or along with other noises, then chances are it is only to get your attention.

3. Breathing: Grunting can have a similar effect as yawning and sighing, which flood the lungs with oxygen (4). So sometimes, when babies grunt in sleep, they tend to take a few deep breaths immediately afterward.

Quick fact

Grunting is common for the first few hours in term and near-term newborns and may not necessarily develop into a severe respiratory condition or distress (7).

4. Breastfeeding: Babies of all ages normally tend to grunt while nursing. One of the possible reasons for this might be an oversupply of milk; this can happen at any stage of breastfeeding. When the baby consumes a lot of milk, it passes through the digestive system quickly, increasing digestive distress. Also, to cope with the excess milk flow, the baby tends to inhale air. Babies may grunt when trying to handle the distress and the gas.

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5. Illness: Babies also grunt in the case of specific illnesses such as meningitisⁱXA bacterial or viral infection that causes the swelling of the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord. , a bacterial or viral infection that causes the swelling of the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord, sepsis, lung and heart problems. This grunting is not like anything mentioned above; it comes at regular intervals with each breath. The baby will also show signs of distress accompanied by bubbling and wheezing.

Newborns may also grunt:

• To develop control over their breathing patterns.
• When the mucus is trapped in their nasal passage.
• During acid refluxⁱXBackflow of digestive acid from the stomach through the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest. , as it causes discomfort.
• All night, probably because of a dream, gas or a bowel movement.

Baby grunting is mostly normal. If there are no serious signs, but you are concerned about your baby’s grunting, you could try a few home remedies after seeking the healthcare provider’s opinion.

Did you know?

Grunting in babies when they’re learning to poop has been termed grunting baby syndrome or infant dyschezia (8).

Home Remedies For Grunting

Here are a few tips you can try at home to reduce the baby’s grunting.

1. Anal stimulation: If the cause of your baby’s grunting is a bowel movement, then anal stimulation helps them to pass stools. This is done by carefully making firm circular movements with your index finger around the anus, or softly pressing with your finger on the side of the anus. You can also, but with great care, use an earbud dipped in KY-jelly and place it in the anal opening and softly roll it to relax the baby’s anus. However, do not try this repeatedly as it could delay the infant’s learning of the defecation process (5). Bend the knees and hips when you do this. The baby starts to follow the defecation process and gradually stops grunting when the stomach muscles strengthen, and as they learn to relax their pelvic muscles. This will occur after your baby is a few months old.

2. While nursing: Try some of these home remedies to prevent the baby from grunting while nursing.

• • Leaning back: As soon as your baby latches, try to lean back so that the baby’s head and throat are higher than the nipple. Or lie to one side so that the excess milk will dribble out of their mouth.
  • Unlatching the baby: Mothers can usually feel the flow of milk from their ducts. So, if you feel there is going to be a major meltdown, let the baby have some foremilk, unlatch the baby and let the excess milk flow. Once the flow normalizes, you can continue feeding the hindmilk.
  • Feeding on one breast: Let the baby feed on one breast for one or two sessions, allowing the breasts to stay full for a while. This signals the body to reduce breastmilk production.

3. Smaller meals: Another way to reduce the baby’s grunting is to give them smaller meals throughout the day to aid in digestion. However, it is suggested to take the doctor’s advice before trying this. Also, try and keep the baby in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after feeding.
   

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4. Regular winding: Winding after every meal can prevent baby grunting. It also aids the baby’s underdeveloped digestive system to cope with digestion.

5. The sleeping position of the baby: Tilt the baby’s cot so that it is at a 40° angle and adjust the mattress such that the baby’s head is at a slightly elevated position. The baby might take some time to get used to this sleeping position, but it will help to prevent grunting during sleep. Alternatively, if your baby is continuously grunting at night due to gas, you can try bicycle maneuvers with the legs to help them pass the gas.

When To Be Concerned About Baby Grunting?

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As long as your baby is happy, healthy, and active, you need not worry about it. However, grunting with every breath is not normal, eespecially if this infant behavior comes with symptoms like shortness of breath or red or blue discoloration of the face when you must consult a pediatrician. Here are some more instances where a baby’s grunting may not be normal.

1. Respiratory issues: Grunting can be a symptom of breathing problems in newborns. If the baby displays the following signs along with grunting, it could indicate distress due to problems in their respiratory system (2):

• • Rapid or irregular breathing
  • Flaring nostrils
  • Cyanosis (blue coloration of the skin)
  • Coughing or wheezing

2. Heart problem: Sometimes, grunting could be a sign of heart issues. If there is a severe blockage of blood to the lungs, then along with grunting, your baby might show signs such as having difficulty in feeding, puffy eyes, lethargy, and poor urine output. In such situations, seek medical attention as soon as possible (3).

3. Sepsis: This is a major health condition caused by the body’s response to infection. Sepsis develops when the chemicals released by the immune system start to cause inflammation throughout the body. The symptoms of sepsis include difficulty in feeding, convulsionsⁱXInvoluntary and uncontrolled contraction and relaxation of muscles that may lead to trembling. , fever, and loud grunting sounds (6).

4. Other symptoms: Other symptoms such as weight loss, lethargy, nasal flaring, and pauses in breathing with grunting should also be evaluated to rule out an underlying health issue.
   
   Be watchful

   If your baby frequently spits up and makes a lot of gurgling and grunting noises after eating, consult a pediatrician.
   

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When grunting is associated with any of the symptoms mentioned above, then it is best to consult your baby’s pediatric specialist.

Infographic: Potential Rare Causes For Baby’s Grunting

Although it is common for babies to grunt, some reasons tend to be severe and require extensive treatments. This infographic presents some rare conditions that may manifest through a baby’s grunting.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Babies and children sometimes grunt and turn red in the face when they are fast asleep. Check out this informative video to understand why this is happening and what you should do in such cases.

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Dr. Elna GibsonMBChB, MMed, Paeds

Dr. Elna Gibson is a general pediatrician. She did her MBChB and specialization as a pediatrician in South Africa at the University of Pretoria. She obtained MMed Pediatrics (masters) with distinction in 1993. As a young specialist, Dr. Gibson spent some time in the Netherlands, and then settled in the Vaal Triangle where she has practiced for 25 years. She...more

• Dr. Christina JohnsMD, MEd, FAAP

  Dr. Christina Johns is the vice-president of Communications at PM Pediatrics, a specialized pediatric urgent care provider. The pediatric emergency physician did her education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has over 25 years experience in the field.
  
  Dr. Christina Johns is the vice-president of Communications at PM Pediatrics, a specialized pediatric urgent care provider. The pediatric emergency physician did her education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has over 25 years experience in the field.

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English. With a Functional English certificate from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she...more