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Snoring in Infants: Causes, Side-effects & Remedies
You are likely to find yourself oscillating between joy and worry when your child is young. While parenthood is primarily marked by happy and memorable moments, it also brings with it constant anxieties, such as wondering whether you are doing the right thing or not, why your child is sick, whether or not his behaviour is normal, and so on. One of these potential worries could arise when you see your baby snore frequently.
Is Snoring in Babies Normal?
A newborn snoring in his sleep can be quite adorable, but if your baby snores on a regular basis, you might start to worry. A baby snoring while sleeping is a normal occurrence; about one in ten babies are prone to this condition. This usually happens when a newborn’s airways are immature and are constricted by mucus.
What Causes Snoring in Infants?
Snoring in babies happens as a result of some obstruction in the airway of the throat. When the air that is inhaled cannot move freely, it causes the surrounding tissues in the throat to vibrate. The loudness depends on the air passing through the throat and how fast the tissues vibrate. The common reasons for snoring in babies are a blocked nose, their still-developing airways, or a cold. At times, the baby’s throat muscles relax while in deep sleep and the emanating sound seems like a snore.
Most babies stop snoring as they grow older. However, in case they don’t, the snoring could be an indicator of several underlying health conditions such as:
1. Sleep Apnea: Commonly seen in babies younger than a year, it refers to a condition in which breathing stops and starts involuntarily during sleep. Infant sleep apnea is an associated breathing disorder.
2. Enlarged Tonsils: Although it is a rare occurrence in newborns and babies, enlarged tonsils can be one of the reasons why babies snore. When the baby’s tonsils become enlarged due to an infection, it can lead to snoring. Also known as obstructive apnea, it can lead to shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing through the nose, and noisy breathing, along with snoring.
3. Deviated Septum: In this condition, the nasal septum, which divides the nasal cavity into two, deviates from the centre, making one nostril larger than the other. If the unevenness is severe, it is called a deviated septum, which may lead to other conditions like sinus infections, snoring, a blocked nose, loud breathing during sleep, etc.
4. Stuffy Nose: This is one of the most common causes of snoring in babies. When a baby has a stuffy nose as a result of a cold, the nasal blockage will make him breathe through his mouth and he may breathe faster than usual. Nasal congestion can also cause him to snore or breathe loudly while he is asleep.
5. Asthma: Babies who snore are considered twice as likely to have asthma as compared to their peers who don’t. In some babies, it might be respiratory allergies causing this.
6. Throat Problems: Irregular movement of the palate, which is the separator between the oral and nasal cavity, can cause babies to snore. Cysts are another reason for snoring in babies.
7. Apnea of Prematurity: This problem is seen in babies who are born prematurely, usually within 34 weeks of pregnancy. A premature baby can develop breathing problems owing to an immature respiratory system. It then brings on snoring.
Is Snoring a Sign of a Disease or an Illness?
Snoring in babies can indicate various issues, from enlarged tonsils to sleep apnea. It can have an impact on your child’s quality of sleep, leading to further issues with growth and development. Sleep deprivation can result in poor weight gain, obesity, night terrors, ADHD, under-eye circles, and bedwetting, among others. If your baby is a habitual snorer and also shows little weight gain, besides being a poor eater, then it is possible that the underlying cause is a problem with his throat, lung, or heart.
Side Effects of Snoring in Babies
If snoring persists in babies for a long time, it might result in issues such as:
Lack of concentration and poor memory
Stunted social development as the baby grows up
Anxiety and irritability
Cognitive dysfunction
Low levels of activity and feeling sleepy during the day
Depression
Remedies for Snoring in Infants
If your baby’s snoring is caused by a medical or congenital condition, then treating that cause will treat the problem of snoring. However, if other reasons are the causes and you are wondering how to deal with your baby’s snoring problem, you can try some of the following remedies:
Adjust Your Baby’s Sleeping Position: Try changing your baby’s position while he is asleep. A lot of infants tend to snore when they are asleep on their back or on their tummy. Sleeping on the side seems to stop snoring in some children. That said, the best position for babies is on their back, so you could try tilting his head to one side and check if that helps. You must tilt his head from one side to the other frequently. Slightly inclining your baby’s head with a pillow can help ease congestion and help him sleep better.
Eliminate Allergens: Ensure that your baby’s room is clean and dust-free to prevent colds, nasal congestion, and other respiratory problems that can lead to snoring or snorting. Do not use thick carpets or heavy curtains which are dust magnets.
Get a Humidifier: If the air inside your house is dry, it can irritate your baby’s immature airways. Using a humidifier can help maintain the humidity of the room at optimum levels whenever the baby is sleeping. This will help him breathe better, which will prevent him from snoring and snorting.
Use a Nasal Aspirator: Regularly cleaning your baby’s nose with an aspirator can eliminate the mucus inside his nose and clear the nasal passage. Use a saline spray as per the recommended dosage, after consulting with a paediatrician.
Let the Baby Inhale Steam: Hold your baby in your arms and stand in the bathroom. Switch on the warm shower, and let the steam rise. Once the steam gets into your baby’s airways, it will do away with the blockage that might be causing breathing problems.
Note: Do not give your baby any over-the-counter medication for snoring, unless it is prescribed by your paediatrician.
When to Visit a Doctor
It can take a while for your baby’s snoring problem to be resolved. During this time, it is important that you keep a close watch on your baby to ensure that he is not in any danger. If you notice any of the following signs, take your baby to the doctor immediately:
1. Erratic Breathing: At any time, if you notice that your baby’s breathing stops while snoring, even if it is for just a second or two, you must take him to a doctor. It can be a serious issue, and not breathing even for such a short time can adversely impact baby’s internal organs.
2. Interrupted Sleep: If your baby snores habitually, he may not be getting proper sleep. If he struggles to sleep at a stretch, then you should seek help. Sleep deprivation can have wide-ranging repercussions on his growth and development.
3. Snorting and Snoring Too Much: If your baby snorts and snores every time he sleeps and this continues for days and weeks, then it is a matter of concern.
4. Shrill or Extremely Loud Snorting and Snoring: If your baby’s snorting and snoring are painful to your ears, then it’s obvious that something is not right! Loud snoring is not normal for a little baby, so check with your paediatrician to see why it’s happening.
A stuffy nose is one of the most common causes of snoring in babies, but this is a minor issue that does not call for any treatment and gets resolved on its own quickly enough. A deviated septum too doesn’t require a surgical procedure, unless, of course, your child finds it very difficult to breathe through his nose or is prone to sinus infections too often. Similarly, when it comes to laryngomalacia, 90 percent of cases get resolved on their own without any medical treatment.
Usually, snoring in babies is not a serious medical condition; hence there is nothing that you need to worry about. But if your baby’s snoring problem is worsening day by day, you should check with a paediatrician to see if there are any other underlying health problems he’s facing.
Additionally, you can keep a close watch on your child’s sleep patterns and make notes in a diary about when the snoring peaks, how often it occurs, and how loud it is. Doing this for a few days will help you see a pattern and decide if a doctor’s visit is warranted. Also, this information will prove useful to your doctor in arriving at a diagnosis and suggesting the best course of treatment.
Also Read: Pyloric Stenosis (Forceful Vomiting) in Babies Read more
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Resolving Your Toddler's Struggle With Consonants
Is your child at a stage where he can speak words, but would rather grunt? Or maybe tempers are flying high as he tries to talk and you struggle to understand? Find out how you can help with your toddler's speech development milestones.
Has your toddler hit the age where he can’t stop talking? It’s a wonderful experience, save for the fact that it seems as if he speaks in an entirely different language! Your child is still learning how to use his mouth muscles and his voice, and getting used to this newfound power takes time.
Helping Your Toddler Produce Speech Sounds More Easily
Between the ages of 7-9 months, children begin babbling by stringing together vowels and simple consonants. Bilabials(lip sounds) like /p, /b, and /m are usually the first to arrive, followed by /n, /h, and /w. Slowly, they start grasping consonants and consonant blends. By the age of 2, toddlers can say about 100 words, and have mastered the use of vowels and the consonants just mentioned. While the development of speech sounds in children has been researched and documented various times, you can make the process much simpler for your child.
Ways to Make Your 2-year-old Produce Speech Sounds
1. Talk to Him Often
Practice makes perfect! Keep talking to your toddler and encourage him to ask all the questions he has in his little curious mind. Try to answer them all too. If he doesn’t get responses, he’ll be discouraged from asking any. At first, you might notice your toddler omitting consonants or not pronouncing them properly. Keep practicing, and he’ll eventually pick up.
2. Avoid the Word ‘No’
Your child is at an age where he’ll begin or has already begun using the word ‘no’ a little too often. You mustn’t do the same. If kids use wrong grammar or incorrect words, do not correct them. Instead, simply use the correct sentence yourself. Children catch on fast.
3. Plan Speech Therapy Activities for Toddlers
Different children learn at different speeds, and it’s important to give them their space. However, if you’re worried that your child is not learning at a normal pace, it’s best to consult a speech therapist who can teach you speech therapy exercises for toddlers. In the meantime, you can encourage your child to talk through everyday activities such as by counting items out loud, talking about what you’re doing, reading to him, and asking him questions like ‘What’s this’? or ‘Who’s that?’
4. Simplify Your Speech
If your toddler doesn’t pronounce consonants or avoids using some words completely, it’s usually because he’s not sure of the pronunciation, and does not get validity from his environment. Help your child communicate by using simple sentences yourself, comprising of three or word words instead of complex, long sentences.
Even though it’s important for a child to develop proper speech before he hits elementary school, pressuring will never help. You need to give gentle direction and act as a play-mate instead of a coach. When your child feels comfortable and starts having fun, that’s when he’ll learn best. Read more
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When Toddlers Understand Action and Consequences
As toddlers grow up, they might break a few rules and behave inappropriately at times. However, making them understand the relationship between actions and consequences can help curb negative behavior. Stay true to your word and your toddler will fall in line.
You’ve put down some rules for your toddler and want him to follow them diligently. Kudos! This is definitely the right way to teach positive behaviour. But what if he breaks a rule, knowingly or unknowingly?
Consequences for Toddlers - What This Means
When your child breaks a rule or behaves badly, he needs to be admonished and punished for it. This is known as a consequence. Using consequences for behaviour management is extremely important. It’s the only way to instigate positive behaviour in your child.
List of Consequences for Children
1. Positive Consequence
If your child behaves well, it’s important that you praise him and let him know that it’s appreciated. This is when your toddler receives a positive consequence. It can be extremely beneficial in teaching good manners to tots, so don't skimp on rewarding your child for good behaviour. A word of love or a kiss will suffice.
2. Negative Consequence
Sometimes, when your toddler has committed a mistake and has been punished for it he might remember the consequence. It may compel him not to behave in a similar way next time, which means your toddler avoids a negative consequence. Whenever you see him doing this, make sure that you praise him and convert it into a positive consequence.
3. Negative Consequence Turned to No Consequence
There will be times when you punish your toddler for bad behaviour by giving him a time-out. This is a negative consequence. However, if the time-out happens to be standing or sitting in a place that he enjoys, it won’t seem like a punishment and will work against toddler behaviour management. Instead, he may deem it a blessing in disguise and engage in the behaviour again.
Defining Appropriate Consequences for Toddlers
1. Give a Clear Picture
Just defining the rules and consequences may not be enough. Make sure that your little darling understands them properly. It’s also important that you lay down the consequences along with the rules so that he knows what to expect. However, if the rules are followed diligently, don't forget to reward your child for good behaviour.
2. Keep It Short
Long drawn-out punishments don’t work. They only upset kids and don’t accomplish the goal. The consequence for young children should be short and to the point. Give your little one a second chance after some time. If you call a time-out for fighting, let it be only for about 15 minutes.
3. Stay True to Your Word
Just spelling out the consequences may not be enough. It’s important that you stick to them as well. It’s the only way your toddler will realise you mean business. Since consequences play an important role in toddler behaviour management, not acting at the right time may lead him to repeat his mistakes. Read more
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A Ray of Light at the End of a Dark Tunnel
When I saw two pink lines on the pregnancy test, I thought getting pregnant is so easy. I thought embracing motherhood was so easy. It was only three months into our marriage and my husband and I were busy settling in our new house. But pregnancy was great news for all our family members and us.
From day one, I had a stomach ache and one evening, I started bleeding heavily at home. We rushed to the hospital; a nurse asked us to wait for the doctor. I explained to her my condition and it was an emergency but her attitude was like we were just another patient. My husband retaliated and soon a doctor arrived. She checked and prescribed progesterone tablets and asked me to visit the hospital the next day. We were both naive and so we returned home. When the bleeding didn’t stop the entire night, I realised that I must have had a miscarriage.
My mother took me to a family doctor in the morning. The doctor said that it was a miscarriage and that a Dilation and Curettage (D&C ) will have to be performed to clean the uterus and to get rid of any clots or fetal remains. I was soon taken to an operation theatre and poked a needle. The drip started and slowly I became fully unconscious.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a private ward, feeling nauseous and tired. After a few hours, I was discharged and went to my mother’s place as my husband and I were staying alone and there was no one to take care of me. I stayed there for a week. It was an early miscarriage; It happened in the 7th week and didn’t affect us much emotionally. I was also feeling healthy, so I started with a new job within a month. I was very fertile after D&C and became pregnant again within 2 months. In the first ultrasound which was conducted in the 6th week of pregnancy, the yolk sac was visible but there was no fetal heartbeat. The doctor said that we should wait for 2 more weeks as it was too early to say anything. She also prescribed two injections, which I had to take weekly. One was HCG and other was progesterone injection - they were to sustain my pregnancy. And so the needle-pricking journey started.
I continued working and took all the necessary precautions which were told to me. I was guided by my elders and well-wishers. In the second ultrasound, there was no fetal heartbeat and so I had to go for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). The report stated that it was the case of blighted ovum, where the yolk sac is empty without a fetal heartbeat. The doctor said it happens if conception occurs within a short span of miscarriage as it spreads the infection to the foetus. We had no option and went for the MTP. I took leave for one week then joined work. My doctor advised me to not try for pregnancy for at least six months.
After a gap of one year, we visited a new doctor suggested by one of my colleagues who suggested us a series of test like thyroid test, diabetes test, etc. When the reports came, we tried to conceive and the same month I got pregnant. I was given two injections - hCG, once a week and heparin, twice a day. Heparin doesn’t allow blood to clot in veins and capillaries because sometimes clotting in the uterine vessels causes blockage of blood supply to the foetus and leads to a miscarriage. My brother used to inject heparin daily with insulin needle and after a few days, I had no space left to prick needle as wherever heparin was injected a lump would form which caused severe pain if a needle was injected gain on the same area. I left my job this time to avoid any stress and mishap. The ultrasound was performed in the 7th week. Still, there was no fetal heartbeat. In the 10th week, there was no heartbeat. The doctor said that we usually get to hear heartbeats at this stage but if we wanted we could wait for one more week. This time I was devastated. While returning from the clinic, my tears started rolling down and after I reached home, I broke down and cried like a child. I knew that it has gone - my mother and my husband were consoling me, but I was in a state of abjection. Again my mother took me to an old family doctor and showed her all the reports. She said there was no point in waiting as there was no yolk sac and no heartbeat, and it may only spread the infection. The next morning, I had an MTP again.
I was discharged from the hospital and I came home. I was sad and read the reports again and again. I asked myself, "Where did I go wrong?" But the worse was yet to come. My unborn foetus was sent for lab test. The reports came and the doctor told us that it was a case of molar pregnancy, i.e. when there is a lump of cells. A tumour that has a grape-like structure grows which is usually cancerous. Thankfully, my lump was non-malignant or else I would have needed to go for chemotherapy to eradicate any remains of cancerous cells. I was suggested to take a blood test every month to monitor my hCG levels, which should come down to zero after the termination of pregnancy. If they do not lower, then molar cells would have appeared in the form of tumour again. After six months, my hCG levels came down to zero and we visited one of the leading doctors of our city, who delivered the first baby through IVF technology.
At our first visit, her interns heard our case history and asked for a chromosomal test to check whether any chromosomal defect is responsible for recurrent abortions. The test was very costly - my husband's and my blood samples were taken. Results were expected to come after a week. Reports came and finally we met the renowned doctor, but she didn’t have time to counsel a patient who have had three miscarriages and just saw the report.
She said, “Reports are normal, no chromosomal defect, start with these medicines on the third day of a menstrual period and come back if you miss periods." I returned home from her clinic shocked because I didn’t have any problem in conceiving. I was wondering why she did not consider my history of miscarriages. I decided to show my reports to my family doctor. She said that I couldn’t have done much even if the defect appeared, so start afresh forgetting everything. She started folic acid and antibiotics first to clear any residual infection for a month and then prescribed medicines for conception.
I conceived within the second month of taking medicines and then again for three months I was injected HCG and progesterone injections. But this time, the foetus had a heartbeat. There were no other complications. I delivered a healthy baby boy through C-section as my womb didn’t have enough water to wait more and there were no signs of labour pain. All the pain and struggle vanished, as I held my baby in arms. I found a light at the end of a tunnel after a long, painful journey in the darkness.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Motherhood and Me
Discomfort in every sense of the word. noises of groans, screams, shouts.everything jumbled up in those unforgiving hours of excruciating pain I thought would never end and had my mind so firmly resolved never to be in that situation to visit that room again ever.
Then all of a sudden the pain and all else stopped with the sound of the very first cry that penetrated right into the heart. They held it up and showed me her tiny face the most amazing sight that transported me right into another world so strange, almost unreal and ethereal where such a thing as sweet is most likely to have come from. There and then with the sudden overwhelming gush of inexplicable emotions, I understood that I had entered into the world of motherhood, where life begins a new, with so much deeper meaning and purpose I had never known before.
I remember often feeling utterly naive and confused during the first few months of sleepless nights and rest-less days..nevertheless, it was quite clear to me how and why mothers don't give up. Yes.its the love for the child the strength and courage that renews with every smile, every sight, every being of her child.
Then before long I turned a new chapter, realised parenting isn't about picking and choosing at all. you just have to accept and embrace all contents of the package. Yes, I'm talking about raising your kids. I remember with regret the remark I made to a lady years back about the need to teach and discipline her child who had pushed down the rack in our kitchen balcony thereby breaking all of the flower-pots placed on it. She must have felt so bad already even without the unnecessary remark. Now, being a mother raising my children and trying my best at it, in the struggle, strength and energy that the task demands every day I guess I have sweated enough to shed off my opinionatedness and judgementality over people. Now its a view of the world and of life from a different angle and so a whole different perspective.
Lately i've had a lot of well-wishers both at home and at work commenting and advising me on my weight and my looks...i am grateful for their concern. however, honestly after nine years into motherhood with four wonderful kids.I have been so used to and fallen too much in love with life's simple joys and pleasures as just having my kids around me. listening to their voices and laughters..checking into the Firstcry app once in a while picking out cute attires for them etc. that being just the right size nor being fashionable has fallen far down in my priority list. As long as I am presentable and live with these sweet little people who loves me in whatever shape or size I may be in, I know i'm fine and happy.That's all that really matters.
I thank God for having blessed and gifted me with this precious gift of motherhood. its never ending surprises with new lessons to learn everyday,taught and learnt with the gentle touch of sympathy,empathy and deeper understanding of life of humanity.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
13 hours ago
Q. hello dr..I am 39 weeks 3 days pregnant, AFI level 8 is this normal?and normal delivery possible for me? Is the fluid enough for up to 1 week?Do I need a drip? please suggest me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
13 hours ago
A. the levels are on the lower side. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Sarika gupta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
12 hours ago
Q. Hi.. Priyanka kalra doctor..I am 39 weeks 3 days pregnant, AFI level 8 is this normal?and normal delivery possible for me? Is the fluid enough for up to 1 week?Do I need a drip? please suggest me.
Sarika gupta
Mom of 2 children
12 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much and it is quite difficult to say anything about it without personally examination and proper reports evaluation. So better to consult with your treating gynaecologist in person as she knew the exact health condition of your pregnancy and can guide you better.
Take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
10 hours ago
Q. Hi, for May 1st they will check AFI fluid... should I need to be on empty bladder for that scan... which is around 37 weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
10 hours ago
A. It’s completely normal this kind of an ultrasound is different it is not necessary that your stomach should be full or you should go empty stomach you can have your basic breakfast and all whatever you would want to eat before you go ahead with getting a scan and there is no need to go empty stomach for the scan
Rayan has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. hi everyone..the position of my baby is still in breech position from first trimester till now as I entered in my third trimester position is still breech is it normal..
Rayan
Mom of 2 children
1 hour ago
A. Check your scan report
parminder kaur has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. Mera Mera 7th month end pe hai ab scan Karate doctor please tell me
parminder kaur
Mom of a 1 yr 1 m old boy
9 hours ago
A. yess
Rayan has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
8 hours ago
Q. what types of clothes are good for a new born baby during summers
Rayan
Mom of 2 children
1 hour ago
A. Cotton, Muslin clothes can be used. Prefer white or light coloured clothes since it absorb less heat.
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