Baby Breathing Fast What s Normal and When You Should See a Doctor

Baby Breathing Fast What s Normal and When You Should See a Doctor

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Is My Baby s Fast Breathing Normal Baby Breathing Patterns Explained

Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. — By Taylor Norris — Updated on October 24, 2022Because newborns have developing lungs and weaker muscles, their typical breathing pattern may appear fast. Heavy breathing, coughing, and whistling sounds may be signs of a breathing problem. Share on PinterestBo Bo/Stocksy UnitedYou might notice your newborn breathing fast, even while sleeping. Babies can also take long pauses between each breath or make noises while breathing. Most of these come down to a baby’s physiology. Babies have smaller lungs, weaker muscles, and breathe mostly through their noses. As newborns, babies are just learning to breathe, since the umbilical cord delivered all of their oxygen straight to their body by way of their blood while in the womb. A child’s lungs are not fully developed until they are around 8 years old.

Newborn breathing

Newborns breathe a lot faster than older babies, kids, and adults. They may initially breathe irregularly before developing a regular breathing pattern. Newborns younger than 6 months take about 40-60 breaths per minute. That looks pretty fast if you’re watching them. Breathing may slow down to 30 breaths per minute while newborns sleep. In periodic breathing, a newborn’s breathing may stop for 5 to 10 seconds and then begin again more rapidly — around 40 to 60 breaths per minute — for 10 to 15 seconds. They shouldn’t pause more than 10 seconds between breaths, even when resting. Familiarize yourself with your newborn’s typical breathing pattern while they’re healthy and relaxed. This can help you notice if things ever change.

Causes for concern and changes in breathing pattern

Fast breathing by itself may not be a cause for concern, but there are a few things to pay attention to. Once you have a sense of your newborn’s usual breathing pattern, you can watch closely for signs of change. A sick newborn will look and act differently than they usually do. But it can be difficult to know what’s typical when you’ve only known your baby for a few weeks. Over time, as you get to know your baby better, your confidence may grow. You can call a doctor whenever you have questions or concerns. Most offices have an on-call nurse who can offer tips and guidance. Call a doctor or go for a walk-in appointment for any of the following:trouble sleeping or eatingextreme fussinessdeep coughbarking coughfever above 100.4°F or 38°C (seek immediate care if your baby is under 3 months) If your newborn has any of the following signs, seek immediate care:trouble catching their breathbreathing faster than 60 breaths per minutegrunting at the end of each breathnostrils flaringbreathing with difficulty, such as the muscles pulling in under the ribs or around the neckblue or grayish tinge to the skin, especially around the mouth, head, and central bodytrouble cryingdehydration from lack of eating

Recognizing an emergency

If a newborn is having significant difficulty breathing or has a blue or gray tinge to the skin, you should seek emergency medical care by calling 911 or your local emergency services.

Conditions

Newborns may experience breathing difficulties due to a heart condition, infection, or another health condition. Newborn breathing problems can include:deep cough, which may be a sign of mucus or infection in the lungswhistling noise or snoring, which may require suctioning mucus from the nosebarking and hoarse cry that could indicate croupfast, heavy breathing which could potentially be fluid in the airways from pneumonia or transient tachypneawheezing which could stem from bronchiolitispersistent dry cough, which may signal an allergywhen a newborn stops breathing for at least 20 seconds, which can be a sign of apnea

Risk factors

Premature newborns may have underdeveloped lungs and be more likely to have problems breathing. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), newborns delivered before 32 weeks of pregnancy may develop neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Full-term babies delivered by cesarean are at increased risk for other breathing issues right after birth, such as transient tachypnea of the newborn. This condition typically resolves within 3 days after birth, the NHLBI notes. If your newborn has been diagnosed with either condition, a doctor can discuss what signs you need to monitor.

Tips for parents and caregivers

Remember that coughing is a natural reflex that protects your baby’s airways and keeps germs out. If you’re concerned about your newborn’s breathing, monitor them over a few hours. You’ll soon be able to tell if it’s a mild cold or something more serious. If your newborn is sick, you may want to contact a doctor. It can be difficult to tell how sick a newborn is. Take a video of any worrisome behavior to show a doctor. You may be able to communicate with a doctor or pediatrician online or through an app for faster communication. In a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency services or take your newborn to the nearest emergency room. If a doctor advises home care for a mild cold, the follow tips may help: keep them hydrateduse saline drops to help clear mucusprepare a warm bath or run a hot shower and sit in the steamy bathroomplay calming musicrock your baby in their favorite positionensure your baby gets enough sleep If your newborn does not improve or their condition worsens, contact a doctor. You should not use vapor rub as a treatment for children younger than age 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends putting babies to sleep flat on their backs for the best breathing support. It might be difficult to settle your baby down on their back when they’re sick, but it remains the safest sleeping position.

Takeaway

Any irregular breathing in your child can be very alarming. Watch your baby and learn about their typical behavior so that you can act quickly if you notice that they’re having trouble breathing. If you have concerns about your newborn’s breathing, it may be best to contact a doctor or visit an immediate care facility or emergency room, depending on the severity. Last medically reviewed on October 24, 2022ParenthoodBaby

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Breathing problems. (n.d.)
stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=breathing-problems-90-P02666Emergency symptoms not to miss. (2022.)
seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/emergency-symptoms-not-to-miss/Gallacher DJ, et al. (2016). Common respiratory conditions of the newborn.
10.1183/20734735.000716Kondamudi NP, et al. (2022). Infant apnea.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441969/Moon RY, et al. (2022). Sleep-related infant deaths: Updated 2022 recommendations for reducing infant deaths in the sleep environment.
publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022Newborn breathing conditions. (2022).
nhlbi.nih.gov/health/newborn-breathing-conditionsRehman S, et al. (2021). Embryology, pulmonary.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544372/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 25, 2022 By Taylor Norris Edited By Heather Hobbs Medically Reviewed By Karen Richardson Gill, MD Copy Edited By Megan McMorris Aug 9, 2018 By Taylor Norris Edited By Nizam Khan (TechSpace) Medically Reviewed By Karen Richardson Gill, MD Share this articleMedically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. — By Taylor Norris — Updated on October 24, 2022

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