Why does a baby's breathing sound heavy and noisy, and what should be done?
Nov 12, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
If an infant sleeps in an improper position (such as lying face down or with the head elevated too high on a pillow), it may compress the nasal passages or airway, leading to breathing difficulties. This can result in noisy, labored breathing during sleep and restlessness. The infant's sleeping position should be adjusted to avoid compression of the nasal passages or airway. It is recommended to place the infant on their side or back and to lower the height of the pillow. No medication is required.
Generally, heavy and snoring breathing sounds in infants may be caused by nasal secretion blockage, improper sleeping posture, adenoid hypertrophy, allergic rhinitis, pneumonia, or other reasons. The solution depends on identifying and addressing the specific cause to achieve effective treatment. Prompt medical consultation is recommended, and treatment should follow medical advice. Details are as follows:
1. Nasal Secretion Blockage: An infant's nasal passages are relatively narrow, and the nasal mucosa is highly secretory, making it prone to produce secretions when stimulated by external factors. If not cleared promptly, these secretions can block the nasal passages, causing breathing difficulties and resulting in heavy, snoring breathing sounds. Use a flashlight to examine the infant's nasal cavity, and gently wipe the nasal passages with a cotton ball soaked in warm water to remove secretions and maintain nasal patency. No medication is required.
2. Improper Sleeping Posture: When infants sleep in an improper position (such as lying face down or with the head elevated too high), pressure may be exerted on the nasal passages or airway, causing breathing difficulties and heavy, snoring breathing sounds, often accompanied by restless sleep. Adjust the infant's sleeping posture to avoid compressing the nasal passages or airway. Side or supine positions are recommended, along with a lower pillow. No medication is required.
3. Adenoid Hypertrophy: Adenoids are lymphatic tissues located in the nasopharynx and are relatively large during infancy and early childhood. Excessive adenoid hypertrophy can block the posterior nasal passages, impair nasal breathing, and cause heavy, snoring breathing sounds, often accompanied by nasal congestion. Follow medical advice to use medications such as azithromycin granules, amoxicillin granules, ribavirin granules, or other antibiotics for treatment.
4. Allergic Rhinitis: Infants may have allergic reactions to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander. These allergic reactions can cause nasal mucosal congestion, edema, and increased secretions, resulting in heavy, snoring breathing sounds, often accompanied by rhinorrhea. Under medical guidance, antiallergic medications such as cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution, loratadine granules, or nasal patent powder may be used.
5. Pneumonia: Infections caused by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses that spread to the lungs can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia causes lung inflammation and exudation, impairing pulmonary ventilation and causing heavy, snoring breathing sounds, often accompanied by fever. Medications such as oseltamivir phosphate granules, ambroxol and clenbuterol oral solution, or infant oral liquid for lung-heat cough and asthma should be used following medical advice for antiviral and cough-relieving treatment.
Parents should maintain fresh indoor air with suitable temperature and humidity, regularly clean the infant's nasal passages to prevent blockage, provide balanced nutrition, and enhance the infant's physical condition.
