How do you treat stridor in babies?
Sophia Dalton
Published Mar 06, 2026
How do you treat stridor in babies?
How is stridor treated in a child?
- Referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT)
- Surgery, if the stridor is severe.
- Medicines by mouth or shots to help decrease the swelling in the airways or treat an infection.
- Hospital stay and emergency surgery, depending on how severe the stridor is.
When should I be concerned about stridor?
Stridor is usually diagnosed based on health history and a physical exam. The child may need a hospital stay and emergency surgery, depending on how severe the stridor is. If left untreated, stridor can block the child’s airway. This can be life-threatening or even cause death.
How do you get rid of a stridor cough?
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Stay calm. Comfort or distract your child — cuddle, read a book or play a quiet game.
- Provide humidified or cool air.
- Hold your child in a comfortable upright position.
- Offer fluids.
- Encourage rest.
- Try a fever reducer.
- Skip the cold medicines.
What does a stridor cough sound like?
When a cough forces air through this narrowed passageway, the swollen vocal cords produce a noise similar to a seal barking. Likewise, taking a breath often produces a high-pitched whistling sound (stridor).
Do babies outgrow stridor?
Infants with mild laryngomalacia usually outgrow the stridor by 12 to 18 months of age. Even though your infant may have mild laryngomalacia, it is still important to watch for signs and symptoms of worsening laryngomalacia.
Can stridor go away on its own?
In most cases, congenital laryngeal stridor is a harmless condition that goes away on its own. Although not common, some babies develop severe breathing problems which need treatment. Treatment may include medicines, a hospital stay, or surgery. Treatment will depend on your baby’s symptoms, age, and general health.
Is stridor common in newborns?
Stridor is usually the result of a narrowed or partially blocked airway, the passage that connects the mouth to the lungs. The condition is most common in newborns, infants, and toddlers because their airways are narrower—so even a small blockage can interfere with easy breathing.
When do babies outgrow stridor?
Infants with mild laryngomalacia usually outgrow the stridor by 12 to 18 months of age.
What happens if stridor goes untreated?
If left untreated, stridor can block the airway, which can be life-threatening or even cause death. Don’t wait to see if symptoms go away without treatment. Call your healthcare provider if you or your child makes a noisy or high-pitched sound while breathing.