Grunting in Preemies

Grunting in premature infants is normal and very common. It is due to an immature nervous system and they will eventually grow out of it. Premature infants tend to spend most of their time in light sleep (REM or active sleep) vs. deep sleep (non REM or quiet sleep) and sometimes have a difficult time transitioning from an asleep state to a awake or alert state. This is why sleep cycles are so important in the NICU- allowing your baby time to rest, sleep, and have uninterrupted quite time is so important for the developing neurological system. As time passes and the neurological system matures and your baby grows- the grunting will stop.