Your newborn sneezing multiple times in a row is kind of cute. But as new parents, you may wonder, is it normal for infants to sneeze this much? Well, it’s pretty normal, since a baby’s nose works much harder to keep the passages clear of irritants, milk dribbles and those teeny tiny dust particles.
To think about it, sneezing is one of the ways babies keep their noses clear, functional and it also helps protect from any blockage. Together with tools like a Momcozy infant nasal aspirator that helps to gently remove too much mucus, sneezing helps babies breathe more easily through their noses. In this article, we’ll talk about why sneezing is a common reflex in babies, what it really means and when you should be concerned about their sneezing.
Sneezing Is a Healthy and Normal Reflex
But you know what’s amazing here? Even while still in the mother’s womb, babies learn these awesome reflexes such as sneezing. When a newborn sneezes, it simply means something is trying to go into their nose. This is also how they get rid of those irritants, such as dust and mucus out of their noses. Newborns have delicate and sensitive noses, so they tend to sneeze more often than adults.
It’s worth mentioning however, that sneezing in itself is not an indication of illness. So, if your baby does sneeze but otherwise, they are content, feeding normally, and no fever and no congestion, then this is just their body being what it’s meant to be.
How Your Baby’s Tiny Nose Stays Clear
Sneezing can be considered as your child’s built-in nasal cleaning system, since their nose is their primary breathing tool even a small amount of mucus, dust or milk residue can cause unwanted irritation.
You could imagine it being your baby’s way of dusting their airways. It’s their reflex that if any particles may come through their nasal passages, they’ll have to blow it out. Additionally, they have very tiny nasal passages which explains why they seem to sneeze more frequently compared to older kids or adults.
Common Irritants That Cause Sneezing
So, after having an understanding that sneezing is just a reflex you may be wondering, what causes sneezing exactly.
- Dry air that could irritate the nasal lining
- Tiny particles like dust, pet hair or lint
- Milk or formula dribbles that could sneak into the nose during feeding
- Buildup of mucus from a mild cold or just everyday breathing
- Bright light reflex (some babies sneeze when exposed to sunlight)
These causes are mostly harmless and don’t need any medical intervention. A quick sneeze or two is your baby’s way of clearing out any irritants.
Read Also: Why a Comfortable Blanket is Important for Infants
Why It’s Not a Sign of Allergies
Many parents are misled into thinking that these frequent sneezing is caused by allergies because they think that what they experience as adults are pretty much the same for babies, but this isn’t the case. A baby’s immune system is still developing, and those environmental allergies only show up until about 6 months or sometimes closer to toddlerhood.
If your newborn sneezes a lot, but doesn’t really show any other signs of illness, it’s wrongful to assume that they’re allergic to dust, pets, or pollen. Since sneezing is almost always just their way of clearing their noses and staying comfortable.
When Sneezing Might Signal an Illness
Although sneezing in itself is usually normal, there are instances when they accompany symptoms that are telling that your child probably is catching a cold, flu, or any other respiratory issue. Consult and have a talk with your doctor whenever you notice that their sneezing are accompanied by:
- Cough that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty in breathing or wheezing
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Greenish or yellowish mucus with thick consistency
- Lethargy and poor feeding
If your baby sneezes occasionally but seems healthy and happy otherwise, there’s no need for worry. It will only become concerning if the sneezing is paired with other red flags, then it’s time that you need to reach out to your doctor.
The Difference Between a Sneeze and a Cough
There are times when sneezing and coughing can be confusing for parents since they are both clearing airways. To give you an idea, here’s the difference:
Coughing basically removes mucus or blockages from the throat and lungs, while sneezing clears the nasal passages from irritants.
If in case your child sneezes but doesn’t cough, it’s a clear sign that the irritation is higher up in the nasal passage and not in their chest. But a cough paired with sneezing is an indicator of congestion that is spreading downward, which is something that you’ll want to look into closely.
Read Also: Childcare Checklist
Simple Ways to Help Your Baby’s Nasal Passages
Well, even though sneezing is normal, there are some ways that you can make it easier for your little one’s nose:
- Keep their nursery well-kept and clean from dust (better safe than sorry)
- Use a saline spray or drops to keep their nasal passages moist
- Run a humidifier in your baby’s room to prevent air dryness
- Gently clear mucus with a nasal aspirator for newborn (but only when needed)
- Slightly elevate your baby’s head during feedings to reduce milk dribbles that enters the nose.
They may seem to be like such simple adjustments, but these adjustments reduce the sneezing triggers and keeps your baby more comfortable in breathing.
The Big Picture: What to Expect from Your Newborn
Then, is it normal for infants to sneeze? Yes. This is one of the most frequent and healthy newborn reflexes, it is absolutely essential for them in order to breathe normally. Most of these adorable sneezes are triggered by daily irritants, such as dryness, or simply due to the natural process of nasal clearing.
If in case your baby isn’t showing any other concerning symptoms like persistent fever, trouble breathing or sticky mucus, you can take a deep breath and just let them be. With your care, maintaining moist air, lots of feed, and utilizing gentle equipment such as a nasal aspirator you’ll be doing them a great service.
Conclusion
Experiencing those “is this normal?” moments for a million times as new parents is pretty normal, especially when it comes to what’s happening to your baby. Sneezing multiple times belongs to this list, but you shouldn’t worry. Because a baby sneezing is a sign of a healthy functioning reflex. Basically, sneezing protects their airways, and keep their noses clear of any blockages. Having a better idea of what’s normal, what’s not, and how you might be able to help, and comfort will leave you feeling more confident whatever illness or challenge comes your way in the future.
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