Does your little one have grunting baby syndrome?
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Possibly.
Let me explain. Since babies can’t talk and are only able to communicate with noises, sounds such as grunting, groans, squirming, and crying can be unsettling.
If your baby groans in sleep this makes it hard for a new parent to understand what is going on.
But to add these murmurs, gurgles, groaning, and grunting, they are now starting to make noises like wild injured animals or grumpy old men!
As a new mommy (or daddy) you may be asking yourself,
Why is my baby-making these horrendous (and often hilarious) sounds!
Squirming Baby – What’s Wrong With My Child?
We all know parents of newborns, especially if it’s their first child are worried about every little grunt or whimper that their baby makes. It can often be comical listening to the sounds of your baby sleeping.
BABY GRUNTING EXPLAINED
However, there are times when due care and attention are required, and you need to care and understand accordingly.
While most of the baby’s gurgling and squirming noises are typical and nonsensical, and often when they just seem sweet and hapless..
…it must be noted that heavy grunting can be an indication of digestive irritability syndrome.
Simply, In certain cases, grunting forms part of a collection of symptoms, or syndrome and is a sign for help.
Grunting sounds, in most cases, are related to digestion. Phew.
It may be as simple as a baby still getting used to their mother’s milk, or the baby food he or she is receiving may be causing some digestive troubles.
Their little bodies and constitution are still developing, hence all the grunting.
We need to remember that.
Sometimes the food simply causes gas (we’ve all been there), and that gas can cause pressure in their tummy which can make them uncomfortable.
Leading to these wondrous noises emitting from the baby monitor in the nursery at 3 am.
Being so young they really haven’t learned how to deal with digesting food yet.
Baby grunts all the time
Most of the time this food moving through the digestive system to the point of excretion is usually involuntary or to simply put it, “it just happens.”
That’s why we use these drops.
Sometimes the by-product of all that squirming and grunts.
To be more precise, they haven’t yet figured out how to relax the pelvic floor while also using abdominal pressure to move gas and stool through their system without having to stress about it.
Grunting shouldn’t be confused with constipation, which is the most common misconception.
The digestive system-related grunting will continue for a few months up until the newborn learns how to produce bowel movement and/or pass gas without having to grunt.
which is where these drops really help
BUT don’t worry, this is all very typical for a young baby.
This marvel is even called “Grunting Baby Syndrome (GBS).”
It’s fairly common and rarely a sign of something serious with your baby, or a need for intervention.
If the problem isn’t serious, it will resolve by itself.
As time passes, the newborn will learn how to relax their anus while pushing with their abdomen.
Through trial and error, they will learn how to do that which will lead to fewer digestive issues and less stress when the baby needs to excrete its stool.
It’s all-natural.
Grunting baby syndrome | SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE?
The grunting and strains of a healthy newborn baby learning how to excrete stool and to manage its digestive system is different from a sick baby.
Grunting chronically with every breath is not normal and may be signs of said syndrome.
Grunting at the end of every breath, at the end of every exhale is a sign of a respiratory problem.
If your baby is showing signs of a syndrome, chronically grunting, and/or has other issues, then they need to be checked by a doctor.
Even more so if they have a fever or appear under intense distress, seeking medical attention is advised immediately.
Even if there is a serious problem, catching it early is key.
This increases the chance that your newborn’s condition will be sorted not only sooner and successfully.
You need to rule out any sort of nasal issues such as flaring, and intercostal or subcostal retractions when diagnosing grunting baby syndrome.
Does your baby have chronic grunting with every breath for a prolonged period of time?
This can also be a sign your baby has silent reflux. And boy is this often misdiagnosed.
Have you noticed if your baby becomes distressed and uncomfortable when eating/breastfeeding?
Is your baby showing signs of this grunting syndrome?
Are they squirming, arching their back, and generally more unsettled Night?
Does your baby have an acidic smell, hoarse voice, or gets frustrated during/after meals?
You may well be experiencing infant re-flux syndrome-related issues, which are common with a premature baby.
If you feel these symptoms are consistent, then seek advice from a doctor.
In some cases, the use of infant reflux medication might be required and stop your baby from grunting.
Be persistent with this too as acid reflux in babies is often overlooked. just have to read the baby grunting threads on the Netmums forums to find that one out!
You just have to read the Netmums forums to figure that one out!
We are a testament to that
We went from the normal gas-related grunting to our little baby developing re-flux. She was premature, however, but it was diagnosed at first
Through hearing similar stories from other parents, we persevered and got the right diagnosis.
Then came the correct treatment and months later she is doing great!
What Exactly Is A Syndrome
Is my baby at any risk from all this grunting?
If your baby is suffering from a chronic grunting-related issue or syndrome then at least you know it is fairly common and easily treated.
The word syndrome may come across scary and worrisome but don’t fear.
By its very definition a syndrome is simply a group of symptoms that occur consistently and in the case of your baby, they’re more often very temporary.
Most babies grow out of this.
A great little video worth watching for all parents on , check it out.
We wish you and your baby good health and we do hope you have accurately diagnosed whether your little one has reflux or indeed grunting baby syndrome.
