What causes snoring in children?

Your child might snore – or snore more loudly – if they have a blocked nose caused by a cold, allergies or hay fever. Snoring is also linked to obesity.

If your child has large tonsils or adenoids, this can also narrow your child’s airways and mean your child is prone to snoring.

If your child’s snoring goes on over a long period, it might be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, especially if your child also breathes through their mouth or seems to gasp, choke or struggle for breath.

The tonsils and adenoids are small at birth and start to grow in the first few months. This means snoring is common in babies and young children. At 3-5 years, many children still snore. By about 9 years, children’s faces are bigger and their tonsils and adenoids are smaller, so fewer children snore at this age.

Should you be concerned about your child’s snoring?

If your child snores, it’s a good idea to watch out for:

• mouth breathing
• signs of your child gasping or struggling for breath
• restless, interrupted sleep.

You should take your child to the GP if:

• you’ve noticed these signs over a long period
• your child seems more tired than usual
• your child falls asleep during the day.

Also see the GP if you’re worried about your child’s snoring, especially if your child is still snoring at 12 years.

What to expect when you take your child to the GP

Your GP will look in your child’s throat to check your child’s tonsils.

The GP might send your child to an ear, nose and throat specialist if they think the snoring might be caused by your child’s adenoids or tonsils, something blocking your child’s nose, or obstructive sleep apnoea.

The GP might recommend that your child has an oximetry test. This test measures your child’s oxygen levels during the night to find out whether your child’s oxygen level drops at times because of breathing difficulties.

How to stop your child snoring

Snoring that isn’t related to sleep apnoea or other conditions is usually more of a nuisance to other people than a danger to your child. Encouraging your child to sleep on their side, rather than their back, might help with this kind of snoring.

If a blocked nose is causing the snoring, the GP might recommend your child uses a corticosteroid nasal spray.

If obesity is part of the cause, your doctor will recommend a weight and exercise program.

What if your child’s snoring is caused by sleep apnoea?

If your child’s snoring is linked to sleep apnoea caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils or something blocking your child’s nose, your GP might refer you to a surgeon or an ear, nose and throat specialist for advice.

Frequently asked questions about snoring in babies and kids

Is it normal for newborns to snore?

Newborn snoring is normal if the snoring is soft and the baby is sleeping well and feeding without having to stop to breathe. Newborn snoring can be a concern if it’s loud and the baby is having difficulty breathing and feeding. This type of snoring might be caused by a congenital problem with the nose or a small lower jaw.

Is it normal for babies to snore?

Many babies snore because their faces and noses are small. Babies snore more if they have a cold or have mucus or crusting in the nose. If your baby isn’t restless and is feeding and growing well, you don’t need to worry about snoring.