Newborn Grunting and Squirming While Sleeping? What to Know

“Sleeping like a baby” sounds peaceful, but nobody warned you about the grunts, squeaks, and constant squirming that come with it!

As a new parent, those little noises and movements your baby makes can bring both joy and worry. 

You’re not alone in feeling puzzled by these sounds – many parents wonder if this is normal behavior.

The good news is that most of these noises and movements are not only completely typical but also healthy! 

To the new parents, no need to add it to your list of things to be panicked about.

By the end of this guide, your confusion will be replaced with confidence about what’s normal and what needs attention.

Is it Normal for a Newborn to Grunt and Squirm?

Many parents worry when they hear their babies making strange noises at night or during the day. Understanding what’s normal can ease your concerns and help you know when something needs attention.

What’s considered typical newborn behavior

Yes, grunting and squirming are normal parts of babyhood. Newborns make all kinds of sounds as they get used to life outside the womb. These noises and movements often happen when babies are figuring out how their bodies work.

Babies are born with all their muscles, but they’re still learning which ones to use for different actions and how to coordinate them properly. This learning process can involve lots of grunting and extra movements.

When are these actions most common?

You might notice more grunting and squirming during certain times of the day.

Many babies make these sounds during sleep, while having a bowel movement, or when they’re stretching. This is usually their way of working through basic body functions.

What are the Common Causes of Grunting and Squirming?

Most babies grunt and squirm for completely normal reasons related to their developing bodies. Understanding these common causes can help you know when it’s just part of growing up and when to be concerned.

1. Immature digestion and bowel movements

Babies’ digestive systems are still learning how to work properly. Their intestines are new at moving food through their bodies. When they push during bowel movements, grunting is a natural response.

2. Infant Dyschezia

Infant dyschezia happens when babies haven’t figured out how to relax their bottom while pushing with their tummy muscles.

They push and tense up at the same time, which makes passing stool difficult. You might see your baby’s face turn red while they grunt and squirm, but the stool itself is typically soft and normal.

3. REM sleep activity and physical reflexes

Babies spend more time in REM sleep than adults do. During this active sleep, babies may twitch, grunt, or seem restless. These movements are normal brain development at work.

4. Natural responses to gas, hunger, or temperature changes

Babies often grunt when they’re dealing with gas bubbles in their tummy. Hunger can also cause squirming as they try to show they need food. Even small changes in temperature might make babies shift and move to get comfortable.

Less Common but Concerning Causes for Grunting or Squirming

While most grunting is harmless, sometimes it can point to medical issues that need attention. Being aware of these possibilities helps you spot the difference between normal development and potential problems.

1. Constipation

True constipation is when your baby has hard, dry stool that’s difficult to pass, unlike infant dyschezia, where the stool is soft. It often occurs when babies transition to solid foods or formula, or if they don’t get enough fluids.

About 30% of babies experience constipation at some point, showing hard, pellet-like stools, straining, and crying during bowel movements.

2. Irregular breathing patterns

Periodic breathing involves brief pauses followed by faster breaths, often with small grunts. This pattern is most common during sleep, especially in premature babies or in the first few weeks of life.

Up to 40% of full-term newborns show some periodic breathing patterns, which typically resolve by 2-3 months as their breathing control matures.

3. Chest or nasal congestion

Congestion occurs when mucus builds up in the nose or chest, making babies grunt as they work to move air through the mucus.

It commonly happens during minor colds, allergies, or exposure to irritants. Most babies experience congestion several times in their first year, showing noisy breathing, snuffling sounds, and grunting that worsens when lying down.

4. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)

GER happens when stomach contents flow back up into the food pipe during or shortly after feeding. The muscle that keeps food in the stomach is still developing in babies.

Up to 70% of babies experience regular reflux in the first three months, showing symptoms like spitting up, back arching, and grunting from discomfort.

Does the Grunting Stop Eventually?

Parents often wonder if they’ll be listening to these noises forever. The good news is that most babies do outgrow this phase, and understanding the timeline can help you stay patient during the noisy months.

The good news is that most grunting decreases as babies get older. By around 3 months, many babies have better control of their muscles. The grunting during bowel movements often gets better by 6 months of age.

As babies learn to hold their heads steady, roll over, and sit up, their muscle control improves. These skills help with better coordination of all their body functions, which means less need for grunting and straining.

What You Can Do to Help a Grunting or Squirming Baby

There are many simple things you can do at home to make your baby more comfortable. These strategies can help reduce grunting and squirming while supporting your baby’s natural development.

• Feeding Positions and Frequency: Try holding your baby more upright during and after feedings. Offering smaller, more frequent meals can support better digestion. Don’t forget to burp your baby regularly during and after each feed.
• Tummy Massages, Bicycles, and Burping: Gentle clockwise tummy massages can help move gas, while bicycling your baby’s legs relieves pressure. Patting or rubbing the baby’s back helps release trapped air bubbles.
• Tools to Relieve Congestion: Use saline drops to loosen nasal mucus and run a cool-mist humidifier to moisten the air. Always check with your doctor before using any congestion-related medications.
• Swaddling and Other Comfort Strategies: Swaddle your baby snugly with arms in for a sense of security. Calming methods like gentle rocking, white noise, or soft singing can help; many babies also enjoy being carried in a front pack or sling.
• Safe Crib Elevation for Babies with Reflux: If recommended by your doctor, slightly elevate the head of your baby’s crib by placing a towel or thin blanket under the mattress—never use pillows or positioners due to safety risks.

How to Sleep When Your Baby Is Grunting or Squirming

A noisy, squirmy baby can make it hard for parents to get the rest they need. Finding ways to sleep through the minor noises while staying alert to important ones is key to surviving this stage.

• Coping Strategies for Exhausted Caregivers: Caring for a grunting or squirming baby can be draining. Try to nap when your baby naps, even during the day. Ask your partner, a friend, or a family member to take over so you can rest.

• Using White Noise or Soft Music to Soothe Both Baby and Parent: White noise machines can help drown out baby grunts and squirms that might wake you. Soft music or nature sounds may soothe both of you into better sleep. Some parents find earplugs useful to sleep through minor noises while still waking for major ones.

• Safe Sleep Practices and Room Setup Tips: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, using a firm, flat mattress with no loose bedding or pillows. Room-sharing (not bed-sharing) is recommended for the first 6–12 months to make nighttime care easier while keeping your baby safe.

When to Be Concerned and Visit a Doctor

If your baby’s grunting or squirming seems intense, frequent, or paired with other symptoms, it might be time to get medical help. Look out for these warning signs:

• During or after feeds: If your baby coughs, has wet-sounding or rattly breathing, or develops recurring chest infections, it may be a sign of aspiration. Call your doctor.

• While breathing: Persistent grunting with every breath, fast or labored breathing, wheezing, or chest movement that looks strained could point to respiratory issues. Contact a pediatrician.

• Concerning behavior or skin color: Extreme sleepiness, pale or blue-tinged skin, cold limbs, or seizure-like jerking can indicate sepsis. Seek emergency care right away.

• Ongoing high-pitched grunting + fever or stiff limbs: These may signal meningitis, especially if paired with blotchy skin or a low body temperature. Get urgent medical help.

• Constant tiredness and poor feeding: If your baby sweats while resting, struggles to breathe, or seems too tired to finish feeds, this could be related to heart function issues. Call your doctor immediately.

You’ve Got This: Trust Your Instincts

Now that you understand the reasons behind those strange noises and movements, you can rest easier despite those scary midnight grunts and wiggles. 

With the information from this guide, you can approach your baby’s grunting with confidence instead of anxiety, knowing what’s typical and what needs attention.

Trust your knowledge of your baby, follow the comfort tips we’ve shared, and don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider with questions. 

Check out our other blog, Newborn Safety Checklist: Room-By-Room Guide, for parenting tips on babyproofing your house. If you have any questions that are still bothering you, ask away in the comments!