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Is It Normal For Babies To Have Mucus In Throat?
Question: Is it normal for babies to have lots of mucus in the throat while sleeping
Brief Answer:
Yes. It is normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
It is normal to have a moderate amount of mucus in the baby's throat while sleeping. The baby cannot blow her own nose, mucus stays there and produces a whistle, sniffle or a snort. If mucus descends into the back of your baby's throat (pharynx) it may cause her to gurgle.
If the mucus descends a bit further to the voice box (larynx) and the windpipe (trachea), you may assume that your baby sounds "chesty". When you gently place your hand on your baby's chest you may feel a gentle rattle, which is a vibration from the larynx. But this is usually nothing to worry about. Her breathing may remain like this for several weeks.
However, you should call the doctor if your baby has:
More than 60 breaths a minute.
Persistent grunting at the end of each breath.
Flared nostrils, which indicates an increased effort to breathe.
A high-pitched rasping sound (stridor) and barking cough, which may be croup.
Retractions, when the muscles in your baby's chest (under the ribs) and neck visibly go in and out much more deeply than usual.
Breathing which stops for longer than 10 seconds.
This excessive mucus will gradually recede by her first birthday.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Yes. It is normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
It is normal to have a moderate amount of mucus in the baby's throat while sleeping. The baby cannot blow her own nose, mucus stays there and produces a whistle, sniffle or a snort. If mucus descends into the back of your baby's throat (pharynx) it may cause her to gurgle.
If the mucus descends a bit further to the voice box (larynx) and the windpipe (trachea), you may assume that your baby sounds "chesty". When you gently place your hand on your baby's chest you may feel a gentle rattle, which is a vibration from the larynx. But this is usually nothing to worry about. Her breathing may remain like this for several weeks.
However, you should call the doctor if your baby has:
More than 60 breaths a minute.
Persistent grunting at the end of each breath.
Flared nostrils, which indicates an increased effort to breathe.
A high-pitched rasping sound (stridor) and barking cough, which may be croup.
Retractions, when the muscles in your baby's chest (under the ribs) and neck visibly go in and out much more deeply than usual.
Breathing which stops for longer than 10 seconds.
This excessive mucus will gradually recede by her first birthday.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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