Infant Grunting
What is the Significance of Infant Grunting Noises?
What does infant grunting mean? You may have noticed your baby start to make little grunting noises lately and you may be wondering what the significance of these little noises are.
Bowel Movements
The typical time you will notice an infant grunting is during bowel movements. Just like us adults, our little ones sometimes need to exert some effort getting those little poops out, so you will sometimes see them straining to do so. These types of grunts are typically accompanied by signs of straining on the face, and often flushing bright red. Some parents become alarmed the deep hue of baby flushing, but don’t worry, it is fairly typical for baby to become deep red. Yet another wonder of the baby body.
If, however, after such straining no poop is produced, this may be a sign of constipation, especially if baby has not had a bowel movement in more than 24 hours. If this is the case, you should consult your pediatrician.
If grunting is followed by crying, this may be a sign of discomfort with the bowel movement. The most likely cause is diaper rash. On changing the diaper, you will probably notice redness and irritation and baby will typically cry during the changing. A soothing cream (A & D ointment) will help with the immediate effects and a review of diet might be in order. Baby foods with acidic fruits often cause such rashes. Experiment with them to see if the condition repeats itself and then perhaps leave baby foods with fruits for a later period.
Early Vocalizations
Babies will also grunt as an early form of communication, often to indicate pleasure. Typically, the baby will grunt when grabbing a toy. Then she will look up at you and search for your response. Repeat her grunt for encouragement or talk back to her describing what she seems to be feeling; responding will help her to develop her vocal cords and communication abilities.
The mirroring also reinforces the baby’s sense of their own power and identity in the world. Any time that you can help to foster this, you should.
Grunting in Sleep
You may also notice this same grunting as we have mentioned above during sleep. This is also not to worry. Baby may be having a bowel movement in his sleep (a good sign, as it may be a sign of a sound sleeper, a blessing for a tired parent). It may also be a vocalization inside of a dream. Both are normal and should not arouse worry.
Infant Grunting + Trouble Breathing
If, however, you notice little grunts coming at the end of breathes, as if the baby is straining to breath this may be a sign of something being wrong. Labored breathing and wheezing sorts of sounds may be a sign of mucus blockage or of other problems. If this is persistent and if baby seems to become increasingly distressed in breathing—works harder and harder to breath as the minutes pass, you should call your pediatrician.
If the baby starts to show signs of being cyanotic (starts turning blue) this is a sign of lack of air to the blood stream and should be addressed immediately. Also, if your baby seems especially tired or without appetite, this may be a sign of fever. In either case, contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.
Generally speaking, however, infant grunting is just the sign of normally developing infant. You should think of it as the first step towards running up huge phone bills in the teen years. So let them grunt away now, while it’s still free and while it’s still directed at you. It won’t be long before they are running out the door to their own lives.