Why Your Baby Makes Grunting Noises at Night (And What’s Actually Normal)

Nighttime grunting can be alarming for parents, but in most cases, it’s completely normal. Newborns have developing digestive systems and immature abdominal muscles. When gas moves through their intestines or when they try to release pressure, they grunt, wiggle, tighten, and strain—not because they’re in pain, but because their bodies are learning how to coordinate the process.

Babies also make noise in their sleep because their nervous system cycles through active and light sleep. They grunt, stretch, startle, breathe irregularly, and sometimes cry out without waking. This is biologically normal. The key is observing whether your baby appears distressed or simply noisy.

Grunting accompanied by long stretches of discomfort, bright red faces, long crying bouts, or arching may indicate gas or digestive tension. Adjusting feeding pace, burping more frequently, or keeping your baby upright after feeds can help significantly.

If night grunting keeps you awake because you’re worried, know this: newborns are loud sleepers. Their systems are practicing regulation. And if you want tools to reduce nighttime discomfort, the Digital Product Bundle offers gas relief techniques, digestive tips, and soothing holds to help your baby rest more peacefully.