Are you concerned that your newborn is sneezing frequently? You’re not alone; this is a common worry for new parents. The good news is that sneezing in newborns is usually normal and often a sign of healthy development.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick overview to help you understand what is considered normal and what you should be on the lookout for:
Common Reasons for Newborn Sneezing
A natural reflex in infants to clear their small nasal passages
Environmental irritants like dust, pet dander or strong odours
Adapting to breathing outside the womb.
When Sneezing Might Be a Concern
Sneezing with fever, coughing, trouble breathing, or trouble feeding
Signs of a cold, the flu, or other respiratory illness
Persistent nasal congestion or difficulty sleeping.
In most cases, sneezing in newborns is not a cause for concern. However, if you are worried or notice any additional symptoms, it’s always a good idea to consult your baby's GP or health visitor. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of sneezing in newborns, how to identify signs of illness, and simple methods to keep your baby comfortable.
Is it Normal for Newborns to Sneeze?
It is completely normal for newborns to sneeze. This behaviour may surprise you during the early days, especially if your baby sneezes more than you anticipated. In most cases, sneezing in newborns is a healthy, protective and involuntary reflex that helps keep their tiny nasal passages clear.
A good sneeze is your body’s number one way of ejecting germs and common irritants such as dust, fuzz, strong odours, tobacco smoke and other allergens such as pollen and dust mites. In essence, it’s a quick and effective way for your baby to protect themself against illness. It also demonstrates that your little one’s senses are working well, so is generally not a cause for concern.
Babies make a variety of sounds, including snorts, grunts, gurgles and whistles. They have several ways to express themselves or show their discomfort with the environment around them. These might include:
All of these are very common among babies and generally nothing to worry about. They often act as a good indication that your baby is developing their senses. In their first few months of life, your baby is starting to react to the world around them, be it with a laugh and gurgle or a big sneeze.
Occasional sneezes are nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, you may still find yourself questioning, ‘Why does my baby sneeze so much?’. It may interest you to learn that a lot of parents experience the same concern. It’s entirely natural to question whether your baby is sick and requires medical assistance. Rest assured, it is normal for newborns to sneeze from time to time or a lot at once.
As their nasal passages are so small, they often become blocked or irritated, which may prompt them to let out a little grunt or sneeze. This is all absolutely normal and does not generally indicate anything is wrong.
If your little one is feeding well, seems comfortable, and isn’t showing signs of congestion or fever, infant sneezing is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to your baby’s GP or health visitor for reassurance.
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While newborn sneezing is typically nothing to worry about, if you notice your baby sneezing excessively, this could be a sign of respiratory illness. However, it often won’t be the only symptom exhibited by your baby. Sneezing on its own is not usually an indication that anything is wrong, but if accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever, coughing or a blocked nose, your child may have a cold.
We’ll discuss how to differentiate between common cold symptoms, flu symptoms, and potential allergic reactions. Additionally, we’ll cover when it’s important to contact your child's GP or health visitor.
Newborn Sneezing, the Common Cold and Flu
Newborn babies are very delicate, and the same goes for their immune systems. Coughs and colds are extremely common in babies and tend to spike over the autumn and winter months. In fact, it’s normal for a child to have 8 or more colds a year! They can usually be attributed to an infection, and the majority of babies will recover on their own. The most common symptoms of the common cold and flu include:
If your child has any of the following, you should ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 – dial 111:
• Laboured/rapid breathing
• A harsh breath noise as they breathe in
• Symptoms of dehydration (sunken eyes, drowsy, or not passing urine for 12 hours)
• Becoming drowsy or excessively sleepy
• A fever of 38°C or above for more than 5 days
• Seems to be getting worse, and you are worried.
Newborn Sneezing and Allergies
Pesky seasonal allergies like hay fever aren’t solely limited to adults. Babies can also get a serious case of the sniffles each time spring rolls around. Due to their irritating and blocking effect on the nasal passages, allergies can cause sneezing and other symptoms such as a runny nose. Substances that can cause an allergic reaction are referred to as allergens, and they include:
Grass and tree pollen
Dust mites
Animal dander
Mould
Household chemicals.
If your child has an allergy to a certain allergen, they may exhibit some of the following symptoms within a few minutes of exposure:
If your child has any of the above symptoms after spending some time around one of the above allergens, they may have an allergy. For example, if you notice your child sneezing and itching their eyes after playing in a field of grass, they may be suffering from hay fever. It can be helpful to speak to your child’s GP if you think they may have an allergy. They will be able to advise you on the root cause and the best treatment for your little one.
When to Call Your Baby’s GP About Newborn Sneezing
It’s common for newborns to sneeze frequently – this is often just their way of clearing their tiny nasal passages of dust, milk, or other irritants. Sneezing on its own doesn’t usually mean your baby is unwell. However, if your baby also has other symptoms, it may be worth checking in with your GP or health visitor.
For babies under 3 months old, it’s particularly important to keep an eye out for early signs of illness, as their immune systems are still developing.
The NHS advises that you should seek medical advice if your baby:
• Has a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher (or feels abnormally cold
• Is breathing rapidly or seems to be struggling to breathe
• Has a cough or persistent nasal discharge that lasts more than 10 days
• Shows signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies than usual
• Seems unusually drowsy, irritable, or unresponsive.
You know your baby best – if something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and speak with your healthcare provider.
Remedies for a Sneezing Newborn
It can often be hard to watch your baby struggling, and the same applies to sneezing. Luckily, sneezing is generally harmless and completely normal for babies. However, in some cases, it may indicate that your child has caught a cold or is suffering from allergies.
If your newborn’s sneezing is caused by a respiratory infection like the common cold or flu, your child’s GP may recommend a number of ways to alleviate your baby’s symptoms. These may include encouraging your child to drink more, offering more frequent smaller feeds, or using saline nose drops or a spray to help with a blocked nose.
On the other hand, if your little one is sneezing due to nasal allergies, the number one tactic is to keep your child away from irritants. However, this isn’t always practical. Here are some things you can do to help manage common irritants:
Check for food allergies by watching what your baby eats
Reduce animal allergens by keeping pets outside as much as possible and washing them regularly
Reduce the risk of mould allergies by keeping your home dry and well-ventilated and managing any damp or condensation
Reduce pollen allergies/hay fever by staying indoors and avoiding grassy areas when the pollen count is high
Limit dust mite allergies by using allergy-proof duvets and pillows and fitting wooden floors instead of carpets.
Do not smoke or have the smell of tobacco smoke around your baby and avoid using or spraying strong fragrances.
FAQS AT A GLANCE
Infants' sneezing is generally normal. However, if it occurs alongside a fever, congestion, difficulty feeding, or unusual irritability, it is important to contact your baby's GP or health visitor, especially if your infant is under 3 months old.
Common signs of a cold in newborns may include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, coughing, mild fever and difficulty sleeping or feeding. If your newborn is under 3 months old and shows any signs of illness, it's important to contact your GP.
Yes, newborns often sneeze as a normal reflex to clear irritants such as dust or dry air from their tiny nasal passages. Sneezing by itself is usually not a sign of illness, unless accompanied by other symptoms, such as a high temperature.
Newborn sneezing is a natural reflex that helps babies clear their noses of irritants. Unlike some other newborn reflexes, this reflex continues throughout life and plays a protective role from the very beginning.
The Bottom Line
Sneezing is a completely normal phenomenon among newborns, infants and adults alike. It is one of the natural ways in which your baby’s body gets rid of germs and irritants. In this way, it can actually be a good sign that your little one’s reflexes and senses are working properly.
If you notice that your baby’s sneezing is accompanied by a temperature or cough, this may indicate that they are currently suffering from the common cold or flu. These respiratory illnesses typically clear up on their own with minimal interference after a couple of days, but if you have any concerns, it may be worth speaking to your child’s GP. Sneezing may also be attributable to certain allergies such as hay fever.
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How we wrote this article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
