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Nothing is cuter than watching your newborn coo, yawn and sneeze. That cute sound they make when they sneeze might make you a little nervous but you should know that it is absolutely normal for your newborn to sneeze. Just like adults, newborns can also sneeze for absolutely natural reasons. Everytime your newborn sneezes, you do not need to get all worked up and worried. However, as parents, it is natural to have concerns and questions about how much sneezing is okay for your child and from when shall you begin to get worried. Read on to know all about why your newborn sneezes and when you should visit a doctor if the sneezes become a little too frequent.
Is It Normal For Your Newborn To Sneeze?
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The short answer to this question is yes. It is absolutely normal for your newborn to sneeze. In fact, frequent sneezing is quite common in children without hinting towards any underlying illness (1). Sneezing is the body’s way of cleaning the nose of any germs and particles and the same rule applies to babies as well.
As a newborn is growing up, they gradually get used to the surroundings they are living in. This often includes breathing dust and other particles that they might have to inhale and cause irritation in their nasal passages. As a response to this, the newborns sneeze. Though it is understandable that you might get concerned when your little bundle of joy keeps sneezing, most of the time it is not something to lose your sleep over.
What Are Some Common Reasons Behind Newborns Sneezing?
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There are a number of reasons that cause newborns to sneeze and not all of them are related to allergy or cold. Some of the most common reasons that make newborns sneeze are discussed below:
- Irritation In Their Nasal Passage
One of the major reasons behind your baby’s sneezing is the presence of irritants in their nasal passage. Babies sneeze so that their nasal passages get cleared of these irritants and they can breathe freely.
- Inflammation
Often newborns sneeze due to inflammation and environmental allergens (2). The reason behind this is their immune system is not very strong and it responds to the allengers to this way.
What To Do If Your Baby Is Sneezing A Lot?
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Though a baby sneezing is a natural bodily response, if you feel your baby is sneezing a little too much, you can try doing certain things.
- If you are into burning scented candles, consider stopping it for a while. Your baby might find the scent irritating and that might be triggering the frequent sneezes.
- If you use an air freshener that contains harmful chemicals, consider stopping using that. The chemicals might cause irritation in their nasal passages and make them sneeze.
- Using air purifiers to purify the air in your house is a good idea to prevent the sneezing of your baby. Air purifiers will clean the dust particles in your house and your baby will be breathing in cleaner air.
- If you have pets, make sure you are vacuuming your house daily. Pet hairs often cause a lot of irritation in a baby’s nasal passages and make them sneeze. Make sure your baby’s bed and other surfaces are clean of pet hair.
- Along with using air purifiers, consider planting house plants that would work as natural air purifiers and keep the air clean.
Can Your Newborns Sneezing Be The Sign Of Something Else?
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Even though sneezing is perfectly normal for your baby, sometimes it might be an indication of serious health issues. You should be concerned and contact your pediatrician if the sneezing of your newborn is associated with the following symptoms:
- Congestion
- Fever
- Coughing
- Runny nose
Sometimes it might be a common cold that is causing your baby to sneeze frequently. In case it’s that, you can try these to alleviate your baby:
- Keep your baby hydrated and give them plenty of fluids.
- Use a humidifier as that would reduce air dryness irritating your baby’s nasal passage.
- You can use a bulb syringe to create suction in the nose of your baby and clear it.
- You also also ask your doctor if you can use a nasal drop for your baby.
While it is absolutely normal for your baby to sneeze, you should consider calling your pediatrician if the sneezes are accompanied with fever and other symptoms. However, with most babies, sneezing comes as a normal part of development and growth. What has been your experience with your baby’s sneezing episodes? Did they scare you or did you handle them well? Let us know in the comment section!
