The baby grunts with his nose, but there is no snot: what is the reason?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

A new mother is always especially worried about the he alth of her baby. Attentive parents listen to every unusual sound. Many fathers and mothers turn to the pediatrician with a complaint that the baby grunts with his nose, but there is no snot (and often spits up). Most often, such processes are absolutely normal - physiological. It is only important to know how to respond to them correctly. Today's article will tell you why a baby can make unusual squelching sounds with his little nose.

Physiology

Often upon returning from the maternity hospital, new parents notice that the baby grunts with his nose, but there is no snot. Why is this happening? Is this a pathology and what should be done?

If you go to a pediatrician with this problem, you will hear the term "physiological runny nose." This phenomenon is absolutely normal and does not require medical treatment. The physiological accumulation of mucus occurs for several reasons. During the entire pregnancy, the baby is in the liquid. The embryo swallows water, passes it throughnasal openings: so he prepares for the first breath. Part of the "walking" mucus along the respiratory tract accumulates in the sinuses. Immediately after birth, some babies clean these areas with the help of special aspirators. But it is not possible to completely remove the mucus. The situation is aggravated by the imperfection of the nasal canals and their small size. As a result, a few days after birth, the mother can hear the characteristic grunting from the child: the mucus began to thin and strive to exit. It is important at this moment to help the child. Regularly clean the nasal passages with soft cotton turundas and, if necessary, moisten the mucous surface.

Influence of external factors

Often the environment affects the condition of the baby. Babies are very sensitive. If the nasal mucosa dries up, then the following signs appear: the baby grunts with his nose, but there is no snot, and coughs. Of course, the baby needs to be shown to the doctor to make sure that nothing serious is happening. Surely the doctor will recommend that you create the most comfortable conditions for the child. Within a few days, you will notice clear improvements.

1. The room should not be hot: the optimum temperature is 18-23 degrees.
2. Air humidity not lower than 60%.
3. Plentiful drink for baby.
4. Regular walks and airing the playroom.
5. Use saline solutions to moisturize if necessary and clean baby's nasal passages.

Acute rhinitis

If the baby grunts with his nose,then an infection could be the cause. Most often it is of viral origin. Do not worry too much, this is how immunity is formed in the baby. It is important to regularly clean and flush the nasal passages, and use medicines recommended by your doctor.

The situation is more complicated if the infection is caused by bacteria. The kid is not able to cope with them on his own. This pathology is characterized by the following symptoms: the baby grunts and wheezes, thick yellow or green mucus is released from the nose, body temperature rises to subfebrile or febrile values. In such a situation, the use of antibiotics is necessary. Which ones - the doctor will tell you.

Adenoids and their inflammation

It happens that the baby grunts his nose while awake, and in his sleep begins to snore. These kids often sleep with their mouths open. What does it mean? Probably, your baby has enlarged adenoids. These are the nasopharyngeal tonsils, which begin to swell when they get an infection. The treatment of such a symptom is quite complicated and lengthy. Much depends on the condition of the baby and the degree of hypertrophy of the lymphoid tissue.

If the baby gets sick and grunting sounds appear that persist for several weeks after recovery, this is normal. When the baby continues to make squelching sounds even after a month, this is a reason to see an otorhinolaryngologist. Modern diagnostic methods allow you to establish the stage of the disease and choose the right tactics for its treatment. Often exacerbation of adenoiditis occurs inage 3-7 years.

Allergic reaction

Why does the baby grunt with his nose, but there is no snot (5 months or at a different age - it doesn’t matter)? An allergic reaction may be the cause of this symptom. For treatment, it is important to correctly identify the pathogen. Now this can be done with the help of laboratory research. An allergy in a child can occur on pets (wool and feathers), bedding, synthetic fabrics, household chemicals (powders, shampoos). It is almost impossible to determine the causative agent of the disease on your own.

When an allergic reaction occurs in the baby, swelling occurs in the nasal cavity, the mucous membrane hypertrophies. Vasoconstrictor drugs relieve this condition, but their effect is temporary, and you can not use such drugs for more than 3-5 days. Also, in a baby, conjunctivitis, skin rashes, and itching can be added to grunting. Don't delay, allergies can be very dangerous!

Foreign body and emergency needs

If the baby grunts with his nose, then the cause may be a foreign body entering the respiratory tract. In babies of the first months of life, the likelihood of this is very low, because they do not yet move independently. When the baby begins to crawl and walk, he may well climb into a forbidden place and put a small bead or any other object in his nose.

If your baby was feeling great just a few minutes ago,but now he suddenly began to wheeze and grunt, an urgent need to call an ambulance. Pay attention to what the child is playing. An examination by an otorhinolaryngologist always gives the correct result. If the crumbs have a foreign object in the nose, then it must be removed as soon as possible. Do not take any action yourself, trust the doctors!

Grunt from regurgitation

Young children are prone to spit up due to the imperfection of the digestive system. The release of consumed food can also occur due to improper feeding, neurological abnormalities, and birth trauma. In the process of regurgitation, milk rushes down the esophagus in the opposite direction. Often food comes out through the nose. At the same time, pieces of curdled milk remain in the upper respiratory tract. There is nothing wrong with that. With this development of events, the baby grunts with his nose, but there is no snot. How to clean the nasal passages?

Use a special aspirator. If necessary, flush the upper respiratory tract with saline formulations. Even if you do nothing in this situation, the worst will not happen. The baby's nose will gradually clear itself, and the baby will breathe evenly and easily.

In closing

From the article you could find out why the baby grunts with his nose. It is not always possible for parents to determine for themselves whether this symptom is a norm or a pathology. In order not to guess on the coffee grounds and not put the he alth of the crumbs at risk, consult a doctor. Remember that self-medication in these cases is unacceptable. After allimproper use of medications can only aggravate the condition of the baby. All the best to you!