Guide
Breathing noises & coughs
Snuffles, coughs and when to worry
Is this normal?
Babies are noisy breathers. Tiny noses, narrow airways and lots of new viruses mean snuffles, snorts and the occasional cough are part of the first year. Most colds settle within a week to ten days.
Why this happens
Baby airways are short and narrow, so any swelling or mucus makes more noise than it would in an adult. Most coughs and snuffles are viral and resolve as the immune system clears the bug.
What you might see
- A blocked or runny nose
- Occasional cough, especially at night
- Snorting or whistling when feeding
- Mild fever for 1–2 days
At a glance — tap to jump
Red flag
Get medical help urgently if
- Breathing fast, ribs sucking in, or tummy heaving with each breath
- Grunting at the end of each breath
- Blue or grey lips, tongue or skin
- Pauses in breathing, or going floppy with a coughing fit
- Unable to feed or speak/cry because of breathing
- A barking cough with noisy breathing in (stridor)
Watch
Watch more closely if
- Cough lasting more than a week without improving
- Wheezing that comes and goes
- Reduced feeding because of a blocked nose
- Mild fever lasting more than 3 days
Normal
Usually safe if
- Breathing is comfortable when settled
- Skin colour is normal (lips and tongue pink)
- Feeding is mostly normal
- Symptoms gradually improving day by day
Start the FREE Fever Checker
Free · 2-minute check · NHS-aligned
In an emergency, always call 999. For advice at any time, call NHS 111 or your GP. LittleNest is here to help you decide — it isn't a diagnosis.