Episode 120: The Lowdown on Laryngomalacia

When Dr. Morgan’s fourth baby was just a few weeks old, she began to notice something strange. Her daughter was making an unusual noise with each breath — sometimes squeaky, sometimes grunty. At first, it was easy to brush off as typical newborn quirks, but the sounds persisted and grew more concerning.

What followed was an unexpected diagnosis: laryngomalacia.

In this episode, Dr. Morgan opens up about her firsthand journey with this condition — something that affects 1 in 2,000–3,000 infants and often goes undiagnosed until parents are desperate for answers. She combines her personal story as a mother with her professional background as a naturopathic doctor to offer a compassionate, comprehensive look at everything you need to know about laryngomalacia.

What Is Laryngomalacia?

Laryngomalacia is a congenital condition that translates to "soft voice box." It occurs when the tissues of the larynx (voice box), particularly the epiglottal arch, are not fully formed or are unusually floppy. This causes the upper airway to partially collapse with inhalation, creating a high-pitched, squeaky breathing sound known as stridor.

While the condition is generally benign and resolves on its own over time, it can sometimes significantly impact an infant’s ability to breathe, feed, and gain weight — especially in more moderate to severe cases.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

Dr. Morgan walks through the most common symptoms parents might notice:

• Noisy breathing on inhalation (squeaky, wheezy, grunty, or even goose-honking sounds)

• Stridor — high-pitched sounds that occur when the baby breathes in

• Feeding difficulties

• Poor weight gain

• Reflux-like symptoms

• Sleep disturbances (including snoring or pauses in breathing)

She also touches on how to distinguish between laryngomalacia and bronchomalacia, which involves the lower airways and may present with both inhalation and exhalation sounds — a more serious variation that may require more intensive care.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect laryngomalacia, Dr. Morgan encourages parents to trust their gut and advocate for further evaluation. Diagnosis is typically made by a pediatrician or ENT specialist, sometimes via a laryngoscopy (a visual examination of the larynx).

In most cases, treatment is watchful waiting, as the condition often resolves by 12–18 months of age. However, babies who struggle with feeding or oxygenation may require additional interventions, such as:

• Positional changes during feeding and sleep

• Managing reflux symptoms

• Supplemental nutrition or support for weight gain

• In rare cases, surgery (supraglottoplasty)

A Message of Support

Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Morgan speaks directly to parents who are in the thick of it — the endless Google searches, the scary moments at night, the fear of not knowing what’s “normal.”

She sees you. She’s been you.

This episode is as much a heartfelt hug as it is a medical deep dive, offering support, clarity, and practical advice for any parent navigating a laryngomalacia diagnosis. Whether you're a fellow mom in the weeds of laryngomalacia or just wanting to expand your knowledge, this episode is a must-listen.

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Dr. Morgan: www.milkmedicine.com
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