Ear, nose and throat
Medicines for Laryngomalacia
A common cause of noisy breathing in babies, where soft tissues above the voice box are floppy — usually harmless and outgrown, but occasionally needing treatment.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Laryngomalacia?
Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of noisy breathing in babies. It occurs because the soft tissues just above the voice box (larynx) are soft and floppy, and can partly fall over the airway when the baby breathes in, causing a high-pitched, squeaky or fluttering noise (stridor), especially on breathing in.
- How it is treated: Most babies with laryngomalacia need no treatment, as it is mild and improves on its own as they grow — reassurance and monitoring are usually all that is required, with advice on feeding and positioning.
- Self-care: For mild laryngomalacia, reassurance, monitoring, and advice on feeding and positioning are usually all that is needed.
- When to seek help: See a GP if a baby has noisy breathing so it can be assessed.
What it is
Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of noisy breathing in babies. It occurs because the soft tissues just above the voice box (larynx) are soft and floppy, and can partly fall over the airway when the baby breathes in, causing a high-pitched, squeaky or fluttering noise (stridor), especially on breathing in. The noise is often more noticeable when the baby is feeding, crying, lying on their back, or has a cold, and may improve when they are calm or lying on their front. It usually appears in the first weeks of life. In most babies it is mild and harmless, and improves on its own as the tissues firm up, typically by around 12 to 18 months of age. In a minority, it is more severe and can affect feeding, weight gain or breathing, which needs assessment and sometimes treatment.
How it is treated
Most babies with laryngomalacia need no treatment, as it is mild and improves on its own as they grow — reassurance and monitoring are usually all that is required, with advice on feeding and positioning. Because some babies have associated reflux, treating this can help in certain cases. A minority with more severe laryngomalacia — for example those with significant feeding difficulties, poor weight gain, pauses in breathing, or marked breathing difficulty — are assessed by an ENT specialist, who may examine the airway; a small number need an operation to trim the floppy tissue, which is usually very effective. Knowing the warning signs of more serious breathing difficulty is important. For the great majority of babies, though, the reassuring message is that laryngomalacia is common, harmless, and outgrown.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Laryngomalacia
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
For mild laryngomalacia, reassurance, monitoring, and advice on feeding and positioning are usually all that is needed. Managing any associated reflux may help. Knowing the warning signs of more serious breathing difficulty is important.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP if a baby has noisy breathing so it can be assessed. Seek urgent care (999) if a baby has severe breathing difficulty, long pauses in breathing, goes blue, is feeding very poorly, or is not gaining weight.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Laryngomalacia: frequently asked questions
Is laryngomalacia serious?
In most babies it is mild and harmless, causing noisy breathing that improves on its own as they grow, usually by 12–18 months. A minority have more severe symptoms affecting feeding or breathing, which need assessment and sometimes treatment.
Does laryngomalacia go away?
Yes, in the great majority of babies it resolves on its own as the tissues above the voice box firm up, typically by around 12 to 18 months of age.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Noisy breathing (stridor) in babies
- ENT UK guidance
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.