My two-month-old grunts constantly and every time he moves. My pediatrician says it’s nothing to be concerned about, but I want a second opinion. Could his constant grunting be a sign of something askew?
If your child is growing well and eats vigorously then it is extremely unlikely that there is anything wrong with your child. Your baby’s nasal passages are very small so that any mucous trapped in the nose is audible. Additionally, since your child spends the majority of their time on their back, saliva can pool there and contribute to noisy breathing. Furthermore, some babies grunt when they have a bowel movement even if the stool is soft. This is normal and will get better over time.
If your baby is not gaining weight, or sweats a great deal while eating and needs frequent breaks to catch his/her breath while feeding, there may be more of a problem you need to discuss with your pediatrician, otherwise, don’t worry.
My daughter gets carsick very easily. It’s almost impossible to drive for more than a few miles. What can we do to make it better?
As frustrating as it may be for your daughter, she is not alone, as more than half of children suffer from motion sickness – girls more than boys. Most children complain of nausea, others will vomit, appear pale, and complain of dizziness or cold sweat. Very young children (<5 years) may only have an unsteady gait.
Causes of motion sickness aren’t well understood but thought to be due to a mismatch between the information our eyes take in and the information the balance center in the brain gets. When they don’t match up, motion sickness results.
Prevention can include sitting in the front seat for children over 12, or positioning your child in the middle of the car up high in a booster seat so she can see out the front window. Try to get her to focus on an object on the horizon, and discourage her from playing video games or reading. Increase the ventilation blowing on her and if possible make frequent stops so she can walk around. Avoiding dairy products as well as foods high in sodium just before traveling may be beneficial.
Homeopathic remedies to consider are acupuncture/acupressure bracelets, and ginger root. When all else fails, medical treatments include over-the-counter Dramamine, as well as Benadryl, both of which are very sedating. Useful prescription medications can be Antivert, Bonine, Phenergan, or Scopolamine, but some have age restrictions, and may require a visit to your daughter’s pediatrician.
The information and content on our website should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment or advice from your doctor.
