HELP my baby keeps grunting.

NaatQ968 · 2022-11-13T04:36:20+00:00

Hi. My little one is 4 weeks old, no issues and health wise pretty good, had problems with constipation so we put her on SMA comfort on week 2 and seems to made a difference. Although EVERY night, from around 10pm till around 4/5am (this time varies) she is constantly grunting, kicking her arms and legs and seems agitated. At first we thought this was because her Next to Me was a bit open and Cold.. so we put a hot water bottle there so it was warm before she slept. We don't swaddle her as she screams when her arms are restricted. We ended up having to take her in the car at 3am to try and calm her down as she cries too. We were so tired and took her in with us and does sleep slightly better. She is constantly hungry, I am formula feeding as breastfeeding didn't work out for me, bleeding and blistered nipples and I just wanted to make sure she was fed. But the grunting etc every single night at the exact same times is making us worry, and argue about if there could be something wrong... we are sleep deprived but she isn't as she seems to sleep well during the day (everyone comments on how content she is) Please can someone please help and make me realise that there is nothing wrong with my baby. Thank you, Very tired and worried mummy x

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TiredInPerpetuity · 13/11/2022 04:43

Hi OP

Is she awake or asleep and noisy?
If she's asleep but just squirming and grunting while she's sleeping then it's really normal. I remember being amazed how loud they are but is called newborn active sleep and it eases as they get bigger. I think my 2 were around 3/4 months when started to sleep peacefully and quietly. It's hard to sleep through because you're on High alert listening out for every murmur.

TiredInPerpetuity · 13/11/2022 04:49

That being said if she seems distressed or upset it could be reflux which is often worse at night as they're on their back for long periods. So that could be something to look into if you read about active sleep and it doesn't seem to fit.

Good luck

custardbear · 13/11/2022 04:57

Film her on your phone and show the HV. I think I've heard grunting is normal. My eldest had colic and her legs would 'bicycle'. Infacol worked for her. Mine didn't particularly grunt but I'm sure I've heard on MN others say it's normal. Try not to argue and do just get sleep in pockets where you can, it WILL get better but newborns are notorious for making new parents wrecked with sleep deprivation and worry. My first literally stopped the newborn stage overnight and slept 12 hours from a young age - that day will come for you too

BiasedBinding · 13/11/2022 05:06

Mine did this, it’s very noisy. It’s probably the normal thing where their brains and bowels are still immature and aren’t talking to each other so they grunt and strain even though they don’t need to. If you are worried though, ask the health visitor.

FATEdestiny · 13/11/2022 08:49

Sounds very much like a baby who wants swaddling for comfort. Try swaddling once she's asleep or drowsy.

ElmTree22 · 13/11/2022 09:34

My baby does this and it does wake her up occasionally, other times she stays asleep, she has silent reflux issues and it's always worse when she's laying on her back. Also she's a very gassy baby and when she's on her back in the cot she squirms and flails her arms about and passes gas then relaxes so I think it could be a little bit down to discomfort at times as well as being active sleep.

Original poster

NaatQ968 · 13/11/2022 09:57

TiredInPerpetuity · 13/11/2022 04:43

Hi OP

Is she awake or asleep and noisy?
If she's asleep but just squirming and grunting while she's sleeping then it's really normal. I remember being amazed how loud they are but is called newborn active sleep and it eases as they get bigger. I think my 2 were around 3/4 months when started to sleep peacefully and quietly. It's hard to sleep through because you're on High alert listening out for every murmur.

She is awake, it's almost as if she's fought sleep so much that she's wide awake. This morning the time was 11:00 till 0630.

I just want her to be comfortable and okay and nothing seems to help🥺

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Original poster

NaatQ968 · 13/11/2022 10:03

custardbear · 13/11/2022 04:57

Film her on your phone and show the HV. I think I've heard grunting is normal. My eldest had colic and her legs would 'bicycle'. Infacol worked for her. Mine didn't particularly grunt but I'm sure I've heard on MN others say it's normal. Try not to argue and do just get sleep in pockets where you can, it WILL get better but newborns are notorious for making new parents wrecked with sleep deprivation and worry. My first literally stopped the newborn stage overnight and slept 12 hours from a young age - that day will come for you too

The kicking the arms and legs constantly and the grunting and crying are when she's awake, she's perfectly fine during the day it just seems to be at night which is an Awful shame / I just wish I could help her.

OP posts:

Original poster

NaatQ968 · 13/11/2022 10:04

FATEdestiny · 13/11/2022 08:49

Sounds very much like a baby who wants swaddling for comfort. Try swaddling once she's asleep or drowsy.

I will definitely try this tonight so thank you very much

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Original poster

NaatQ968 · 13/11/2022 10:05

BiasedBinding · 13/11/2022 05:06

Mine did this, it’s very noisy. It’s probably the normal thing where their brains and bowels are still immature and aren’t talking to each other so they grunt and strain even though they don’t need to. If you are worried though, ask the health visitor.

Yes she's totally straining and seems very uncomfortable. She's irritated and nothing will help even the things she loves🥺

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Original poster

NaatQ968 · 13/11/2022 10:07

custardbear · 13/11/2022 04:57

Film her on your phone and show the HV. I think I've heard grunting is normal. My eldest had colic and her legs would 'bicycle'. Infacol worked for her. Mine didn't particularly grunt but I'm sure I've heard on MN others say it's normal. Try not to argue and do just get sleep in pockets where you can, it WILL get better but newborns are notorious for making new parents wrecked with sleep deprivation and worry. My first literally stopped the newborn stage overnight and slept 12 hours from a young age - that day will come for you too

The argument is.. my other half gets frustrated because all he wants to do is help her and insists that we need to do something like phone the HV whether as me I'm relaxed in thinking this is normal for a newborn... but I am not sure.

I hope it gets better.

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