Noisy breathing in infants can be very worrisome for parents. While most noisy breathing can be chalked up to a runny nose or some other temporary condition, persistent noisy breathing merits further evaluation. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, parents can begin to take steps to alleviate the problem.
Cause
According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the most common cause of noisy breathy in infants is laryngomalacia. Babies with laryngomalacia have very soft issue over the vocal cords. This tissue falls over the vocal cords and makes amazingly loud, high-pitched sounds that are also known as stridor.
Time Frame
Cincinnati Children's Hospital reports that symptoms of laryngomalacia are often present at birth. If not immediately apparent, they become evident within 10 days of birth. KidsGrowth.com notes that this condition seems to be at its worse around 6 months of age. Fortunately, laryngomalacia usually resolves by itself and disappears by the time the toddler is 24 months old.
Considerations
The symptoms of laryngomalacia may worsen when the baby lies on her back. Symptoms are generally relieved when the child lies at a 30-degree angle. KidsGrowth.com recommends holding the baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding.
Crying and excited babies are also more likely to breathe noisily. Trying to keep the baby calm can help quiet noisy breathing.
Diagnosis
The Cincinnati Children's Hospital states that larnygomalacia can be diagnosed using flexible laryngoscopy. This technique involves looking at the larynx through a lighted tube that is run through the baby's nostril. This visualization technique allows the doctor to see if tissue is falling over the vocal cords. If this test does not reveal the cause of the problem, other visualization techniques, such as microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, can be performed under general anesthesia.
Warning
Although laryngomalacia is normally uneventful, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia urges parents to seek medical help immediately if the baby stops breathing for more than 10 seconds, turns blue around the lips, or has chest and/or neck retractions, which are not relieved after repositioning or awakening. These symptoms suggest that something else may be amiss. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America notes that noisy breathing in infants is a symptom of asthma if the baby is also breathing between 30 and 60 breaths per minute.
