Barking Cough in Newborn may unsettle parents. I have seen many new parents worry when they hear this strange sound. This cough sounds like a seal's or a dog's bark and happens when the baby's airways get swollen.
In this blog, I'll share what causes this cough and simple ways to help your baby feel better. Most barking coughs in newborns can be managed at home with the right care.
What Is a Barking Cough in Newborn Babies?
A barking cough in a newborn sounds like a seal barking. I like to tell
parents it's called this because it truly sounds like a bark! When your baby
has this cough, the area around their voice box is swollen. This makes
breathing noises and creates that scary bark sound when they cough.
Croup in infants stems from their naturally narrow airways. When these
tiny airways swell even a little bit, it makes a big difference in how air
moves through. This is why babies get this unique cough sound that older kids
and adults rarely have.
Common Causes of Barking Cough in Newborn Infants
Croup: The Main Cause of Barking Cough in Newborn
The most common cause of Infant respiratory distress signs is
croup in infants happens when a virus makes the voice box and windpipe swell. I
have tested many ways to help babies with croup, and I'll share these tips
later.
Signs of croup include:
- Barking cough
(worse at night)
- Stridor in
infants (noisy breathing when breathing in)
- Hoarse voice
- Mild fever
Croups of newborns often start with a regular cold. Your baby might have
a runny nose and a slight fever. Then the Infant respiratory distress signs show
up, usually worse at night. The viral infection causing barking cough is most
often the parainfluenza virus in newborns.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is another common virus that can cause a barking cough in newborn
babies. It's very common in babies under 2 years old. When comparing RSV vs croups
in babies, RSV usually causes more wheezing while croup cause more barking
sounds.
RSV symptoms in newborns include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in
appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
RSV usually causes mild cold-like symptoms. But in some newborns, it can
lead to bronchiolitis in newborns, which is a more serious lung problem. I have
seen many cases where parents thought it was just a cold, but it was RSV.
Reflux and Barking Cough in Newborn
Sometimes, stomach acid comes back up into your baby's throat. This is
called reflux. It can irritate the throat and cause a Croup in newborns babies.
Signs of reflux include:
- Spitting up
often
- Crying during
or after feeding
- Coughing or
choking when feeding
- Refusing to eat
- Arching the
back during feeding
The swelling of larynx and trachea in babies can happen when stomach acid
irritates these areas. This is different from a viral infection causing a cough
in babies because it's not caused by germs.
Allergies as a Cause
Even newborns can have allergies. Things like dust, pet hair, or smoke
can cause upper airway inflammation in infants and lead to a barking cough in
newborn babies.
Signs of allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Coughing is worse
when around triggers
I have tested removing potential allergens from babies' rooms, and I've
seen this help reduce cough symptoms in many cases.
Laryngomalacia: A Less Common Cause
Some babies are born with laryngomalacia, which means they have soft
tissue above their vocal cords that can collapse during breathing. Laryngomalacia
can include:
- Noisy
breathing, especially when feeding or lying down
- Stridulous
breathing newborn (high-pitched sound when breathing in)
- Feeding
difficulties
- Sometimes a
barking cough
This condition is usually not serious and often gets better as the baby
grows.
When to Call the Doctor About Barking Cough in Newborns
Most barking coughs in newborn cases get better with home care. But it's
important to know when to seek medical help for a newborn cough.
Call your doctor if your newborn:
- Has infant
respiratory distress signs, like trouble breathing
- Infants may
emit a sharp, high-pitched noise during inhalation, a sign of stridor.
- Has blue lips
or face
- Can't drink
liquids
- Drools a lot
more than usual
- Has a fever
over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Seems very
tired or won't wake up easily
These could be pediatric cough emergency signs that your baby needs
medical help right away. I have seen cases where quick medical care made a big
difference, so don't wait if you see these signs.
When to Go to the ER for Baby Cough
Occasionally, a newborn's barking cough signals an emergency—know when to
head to the ER.
Go to the emergency room if your baby:
- Seems to be
struggling to breathe
- Each breath
pulls the skin inward between the ribs.
- Has a bluish
color to the lips or face
- Is very
lethargic or hard to wake up
- Has severe respiratory
distress in newborns
I have tested this advice with many parents, and it's always better to be
safe than sorry when it comes to breathing problems.
Soothing Tips for Barking Cough in Newborn Babies
1. Keep the Air Moist for Barking Cough Relief
Dry air can make a barking cough in a newborn worse. Here are some home
remedies for an infant's cough that add moisture to the air:
- Place a
humidifier in your baby's room to soothe cough symptoms. I like cool mist
humidifiers best for this.
- Start a hot
shower and stay in the bathroom with your baby—just don’t let them get
into the water.
- Take your baby
outside in cool night air for a few minutes
Moist air helps reduce the swelling of the larynx and trachea in babies
and makes breathing easier.
2. Keep Baby Hydrated
Make sure your baby gets enough milk or formula. This keeps them from
getting dry and helps thin the mucus.
For newborns with a barking cough in newborns, continue regular feedings. If your baby seems too congested to feed well, try feeding smaller amounts more often.
I have tested this approach with many fussy babies, and it often helps
them get the fluids they need.
3. Hold Baby Upright to Help with Breathing
When your baby has a barking cough in a newborn, holding them upright can
help them breathe better. You can:
- Hold them on
your chest while you're sitting up
- Use a baby
carrier that keeps them upright
- Slightly raise
the head of their crib (ask your doctor first)
This position helps especially if your baby has both crops in newborns
and reflux problems.
4. Keep Calm During Episodes
Babies can sense when parents are worried. Try to stay calm, as stress
can make breathing problems worse for your baby.
Talk softly, sing, or play gentle music to keep both of you relaxed. I
have seen that babies with barking cough in newborns often do better when their
parents stay calm.
5. Avoid Irritants in the Home
Keep your home free from things that can irritate your baby's airways and
cause upper airway inflammation in infants:
- No smoking in
the house or near the baby
- Avoid strong
cleaning products
- Keep pets out
of the baby's room
- Use air filters
if needed
I have tested having a clean air policy at home, and it makes a big
difference for babies with breathing issues.
6. Nose Suction for Clear Airways
If your baby's nose is stuffy along with a barking cough in the newborn:
- Put a few drops
of saline (salt water) solution in each nostril
- Gently clear
mucus using a bulb syringe.
- Do this before
feeding to help your baby breathe while eating
This is one of the home remedies for baby crops that I have found to be
very helpful.
Home Treatments to Avoid Barking Cough in Newborn
Be careful about some common suggestions that don't help and might hurt
babies with a barking cough in newborn life:
- Don't give cough
medicine to babies under 4 years old
- Don't use vapour rubs
made for adults or babies
- Don't prop your baby
up with pillows (risk of suffocation)
- Avoid honey for
infants under one year due to the botulism risk.
Always check with your doctor before trying any home remedy for infant
airway inflammation risks.
Understanding Different Baby Cough Sound Types
It's helpful to know how a barking cough in a newborn differs from other
coughs. Here's a simple guide to baby cough sound types explained:
- Barking cough: Sounds like a
seal's bark or a dog. Often from the croup.
- Wheezing cough: High-pitched
whistling sound. Often from asthma or bronchiolitis.
- Wet cough: Sounds mucus
or bubbly. Often from a cold or pneumonia.
- Dry, hacking
cough: Sounds irritated without mucus. Often from allergies or irritants.
Knowing the difference between wheezing vs. barking cough newborn can
help you explain symptoms to your doctor.
Newborn Croup Treatment Options
If your doctor diagnoses your baby with croup, they might suggest:
1. Steroid therapy eases airway inflammation. I have seen this work very
quickly for many babies.
2. Breathing treatments: In severe cases, special medicine breathed in through
a mask helps open airways.
3. Observation: Sometimes babies with mild croup in infants need to be watched in the
doctor's office or hospital for a few hours.
4. Home care: Following the soothing tips above to manage symptoms at home.
These newborn croup treatment options depend on how serious your baby's
croup is. Trust your doctor's advice on what's best for your baby.
Preventing Barking Cough in Newborn Babies
You can't prevent all coughs, but you can reduce the chances of Croup
symptoms in infants:
- Keep your baby
away from sick people
- Wash your hands
often before touching your baby
- Clean toys and
surfaces regularly
- Keep doctor
visits for all check-ups
- Make sure
everyone who handles your baby has clean hands
If others in your home are sick, they should wear masks around the baby
and wash their hands often. This helps prevent viral infection, causing coughs
in babies.
How Long Will a Barking Cough in a Newborn Last?
A croup-induced barking cough in newborns typically lasts 3 to 7 days...
The worst symptoms usually happen in the first 2-3 nights.
Your baby might have a regular cough for a week or two after the barking
cough goes away. This is normal as their body heals from the swelling of the
larynx and trachea in babies.
I have tested many home remedies, and most babies show improvement within
3-4 days with good care.
When to Call the Doctor Again
Call your doctor again if:
- The barking
cough in a newborn doesn't improve after 3-4 days
- Your baby's respiratory
distress in newborns gets worse
- Your baby won't
drink or eat
- It looks like
your baby isn't recovering; they're worsening.
- You're worried
about any new symptoms
Trust your instincts. You know your baby best. I have seen many cases
where a parent's gut feeling was right about their baby needing more help.
Understanding the Science Behind Barking Cough in Newborn
It results from inflammation around
the larynx and trachea. When these areas swell, the space for air to move
through gets smaller.
When your baby coughs, air pushes through this narrow space, making the
tissues vibrate in a way that creates the barking sound. This is like how a
musical instrument makes a sound when air passes through it.
Babies are more likely to get this barking sound because:
- Their airways
are already very small
- Their tissues
are soft and flexible
- Their immune
systems are still developing
As your baby grows, their airways get bigger, and a barking cough in
newborn becomes less common.
FAQS About Barking Cough in Newborn
Why does my baby's cough sound like a bark?
Your baby's cough sounds like a bark because the area around their voice box (larynx) is swollen and inflamed. Air rushing through a swollen, narrow opening creates a sound reminiscent of barking.
This is most often caused by a
croup in infants, a viral infection that makes the upper airway swell. The
small size of a baby's airway makes this barking cough in newborns more
noticeable than in adults.
Is a barking cough a symptom of RSV?
Yes, a barking cough in a newborn can be a symptom of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), but it's not the most common symptom. RSV symptoms in newborns usually include more wheezing, fast breathing, and a regular cough.
However, some babies with RSV can develop croup-like symptoms, including the
barking cough. When comparing RSV vs croup in babies, RSV typically causes more
lower airway symptoms while croup affects the upper airway more.
Why does my baby have a barking cough but no fever?
A barking cough in a newborn without a fever can happen for several
reasons. Mild cases of croup in newborns sometimes don't cause fever. Other
causes could be:
- Allergies
irritate the airways
- Reflux (stomach
acid coming up)
- Breathing in
something that irritates the throat
- Early stages of
a viral infection causing a barking cough (fever might develop later)
I have seen many cases where babies had a barking cough without fever,
and it still needed attention. Even without a fever, a barking cough should be
taken seriously.
When does a barking cough call for attention?
Be concerned and call your doctor right away if your baby with a barky
cough shows any pediatric cough emergency signs such as:
- Struggles to
breathe or breathe very fast
- Inhalation
produces a sharp, high-pitched noise, typical of stridulous breathing in
newborns.
- Has blue-tinged
lips or skin
- Drools
excessively or has trouble swallowing
- Can't feed
normally
- Shows signs of infant
respiratory distress
- Has cough for
more than 3-4 days without improvement
- Is under 3
months old with any barking cough
I have tested this advice with many parents, and when in doubt, it's
always better to check with your doctor about a barking cough in newborn.
Final Thoughts on Barking Cough in
Newborn
A barking cough in newborn can be scary to hear, but now you know what
causes it and how to help your baby. Most cases are from a croup, which usually
gets better with simple home care.
Remember these key points:
- Moist air helps
the most
- Know when to
call the doctor
- Stay calm to
help your baby stay calm
- Most cases get
better in less than a week
I have seen many babies with this cough, and most do very well with the
right care. If you're uncertain about your baby's condition, it's best to
consult a doctor.
