Snuffly baby

I see many healthy babies who sound congested or “snuffly” — especially in the first few weeks of life – and it may be nothing to worry about. While it’s common for babies to have noisy breathing or nasal secretions, persistent nasal blockage in a newborn can be something more serious and many parents may wish to seek a second medical opinion at my practice.

Newborns are obligate nasal breathers — they don’t instinctively breathe through their mouths. If their nose is blocked, they may struggle to breathe, feed slowly, or even stop feeding altogether. This can be very distressing for both baby and parent.

Most often, the nose is simply swollen and full of mucus — especially after birth or during a cold. But if you feel your baby is always working hard to breathe, feeding poorly or seems unsettled, it’s important to have them assessed.

Nasal obstruction in babies

In most cases, a snuffly baby has swollen nasal passages and excess secretions, which can be treated with simple saline drops and suctioning at home. However, if symptoms persist despite management at home, we need to rule out rarer causes of nasal blockage — such as:

Choanal atresia — a congenital condition where the back of the nose is blocked by bone or tissue. This can affect one or both sides and may require surgical treatment. Bilateral choanal atresia is rare and almost always picked up at the time of birth as an emergency. However unilateral choanal atresia may go undiagnosed for some time.
Structural narrowing — such as a deviated septum or small nasal passages.
Nasal cysts or congenital nasal masses— uncommon, but possible.

If your baby is struggling to breathe when feeding or seems to breathe better when crying, this should be assessed urgently.

Diagnosis

When I see your baby in clinic, I’ll begin by listening carefully to your concerns — whether it’s noisy breathing, poor feeding, or unsettled sleep.

I’ll examine your baby’s nose and mouth gently, using a small light and suction if needed.
If there’s ongoing blockage, I may recommend a flexible naso-endoscopy — a quick, safe test using a very slim camera to look inside the nose. This can be done while your baby is awake or sleeping.
If I suspect a structural issue, I may arrange further imaging such as a scan. This very much depends on the age of the baby and suspected diagnosis.

Getting a clear diagnosis early helps us rule out serious causes and guide the best treatment — especially when breathing or feeding is affected.

Treatments

Most snuffly babies do not need medication or surgery. Simple, gentle care at home is often enough to improve symptoms. I can give you advice on non-medical management at home; this might include:

Sterimar nasal saline spray — a gentle, well-tolerated spray that helps loosen mucus. I can advise on technique and frequency of use
Nasal aspirator — a soft suction device that can help clear secretions (available online or via The Portland Hospital).
Feeding in an upright position — this can help reduce nasal congestion during feeds.

If these measures don’t help, and your baby is still struggling, I may recommend:

Short courses of nasal steroid drops (such as Betnesol or Dexamethasone) — used sparingly to reduce swelling in the nasal lining. These are safe when used carefully and monitored.

If a rarer structural cause is found — such as choanal atresia — I’ll guide you through the next steps, which may include surgery.

Whatever the cause, early intervention makes a huge difference — helping your child develop speech, confidence and connection with the world around them.

Make an Enquiry

If your baby is persistently snuffly, struggling to feed, or seems to be working hard to breathe, it’s important to get things checked. As a paediatric ENT specialist, I can assess your baby’s nose and breathing, rule out any serious causes, and support you with safe, gentle treatments. Early reassurance can make a big difference.

Click here to make an enquiry.