Noisy breathing in newborns can also be caused by mucus in the nasal passages. A baby's body doesn't yet have a natural mechanism to eliminate mucus, so the airflow through the nose creates a wheezing sound.
A newborn's airways are still narrow. This also contributes to mucus becoming trapped and causing noise. However, a wheezing sound with each breath may indicate that the baby is having difficulty breathing.
This is something to be wary of when a newborn's breathing sounds, as it could be a sign of bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs. It shouldn't be confused with bronchitis, as bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi, although the two are related.
Bronchiolitis can be serious, especially in children with weakened immune systems. A cough in a baby with bronchiolitis will sound heavy, like it's producing phlegm, but without the phlegm. Furthermore, bronchiolitis is sometimes accompanied by a high fever and wheezing.
The risk of bronchiolitis in children under one year of age, especially premature babies, can progress to pneumonia or pneumonia. It is recommended that children or infants with bronchiolitis be hospitalized to facilitate monitoring and treatment. The medical team will observe and open the airways to facilitate breathing. If indicated, the medical team may also perform mucus suction.
Essentially, there's no specific treatment for infants with bronchiolitis. Treatment involves managing the accompanying symptoms. Other treatments include:
Another form of home care is to prop the baby's head higher than the body to reduce the workload of breathing. However, avoid propping the baby's head with a pillow in babies under one year old.
It's highly recommended not to ignore noisy breathing in a newborn, but to continue monitoring its progress. If it worsens, don't delay. Take your baby to the doctor immediately for further treatment to avoid more serious complications.
