You might have noticed every breath of your newborn if you are a new parent. At times, your newborn may breathe very fast. Is this normal? Should parents be concerned about this? Remember that you are not alone, because fast breathing among newborn babies is one of the most common concerns among new parents. This blog will further break down whether breathing in newborns is normal or not, what causes it, and when parents should think about getting medical help.
How do newborns breathe?
At times, an infant’s breath will be faster than older kids and adults. It’s normal to have irregular breathing before developing a regular pattern. Just keep in mind that infants will take up to 40 to 60 breaths in a minute. In case you are watching them, it may look pretty fast.
Also, their breathing rate will drop to 30 breaths per minute when they are sleeping. While in periodic breathing, the infant’s breathing rate may pause for 5 to 10 seconds, and again it will resume breathing very fast, like over 40 to 60 breaths per minute. Also, remember that babies’ breathing should not be paused for more than 10 seconds, even when they are resting.
Try to understand your baby’s normal breathing patterns, for this, you should monitor them when they are relaxing. This will assist you in finding it faster when something goes wrong.
Why do those newborns breathe faster?
Further, let’s get a precise understanding of what actually happens inside those small chests:
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Growing respiratory system:
Typically, when babies are born, their breathing muscles and lungs will be immature. So that’s the phase where the newborn’s respiratory system is learning to function normally outside the womb. Thus, babies’ breathing will seem faster or irregular.
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REM sleep and dreaming:
Babies spend over 50% of their sleep in REM (rapid eye movement), and they will get lighter sleep only when their sleep is associated with dreaming. During this REM stage, it’s quite common for infants to breathe faster, twitch, smile, or move. You don’t need to be worried about this, because this is harmless.
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Smaller lung capacity:
Typically, newborns’ lungs will be very small, and they are capable of holding less air than those of other children. So they should breathe more frequently, even to get sufficient oxygen that their growing bodies require.
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Periodic breathing of the newborn:
Preterm babies are more prone to this phenomenon. In this type, your baby will pause breathing for a few seconds after a series of rapid breaths. It may look serious, but it typically goes away in just months.
Does fast breathing in babies indicate something bad?
You need to understand that not always fast breathing remains a causes of trouble breathing, notably post-feeding or when sleeping. Also, fast breathing, notably if it’s more than 60 breaths per minute when resting, at times, indicates an issue such as infection, respiratory distress, or a heart issue. In case fast breathing is accompanied by grunting, flaring nostrils, chest retractions, bluish skin, or poor feeding, it’s suggested to get medical help promptly to rule out any serious conditions.
When should I be worried about my baby’s fast breathing?
In most cases, you don’t need to worry about your newborn’s fast breathing, it’s alarming only in a few cases. Once you start noticing the sense of irregularities in your newborn’s breathing pattern, you should look for other signs.
When an infant is sick, there will be some changes in their activity. Also, it will be difficult for you to understand whether your baby is doing this normally or it’s a sign of other issues, as you have known your baby for a week. Simply, when your babies are growing, you will get a better understanding of their breathing patterns.
You should reach out to the neonatology specialist in Coimbatore when you have any concerns or questions. Reach out to the hospital whenever facing issues, like:
- Issues with sleeping or eating
- Dry cough
- Barking cough
- Extreme fussiness
- Extreme fever (in this case, consider reaching out to your doctor if your baby is 3 months old)
In case your baby is facing the following issues, reach out to the hospital with no time:
- The problem with catching their breath
- 60 breaths in a minute
- Your baby will grunt with each breath
- Nostrils flaring
- Difficulty breathing, like muscle pulling under the ribs and around the neck
- Skin will appear blue or gray, especially on the head, mouth, and central body
- Trouble crying
- Lack of nutrition and dehydration
What are the signs of a healthy baby?
A healthy newborn baby will show several reassuring signs. They will cry strongly and steadily, breathe easily with a normal rate that is 30 to 60 breaths per minute, and show good muscle tone with active movements in their arms and legs. Their skin color will be warm and pink, and they feed regularly.
Further, healthy babies will respond to sounds, show alertness during brief awake periods, and make several wet diapers a day. Also, regular bowel movements and steady weight gain in the first weeks are good signs.
What are the other conditions that trigger fast breathing in your newborns?
Newborns will breathe faster when there are any issues with their heart condition or infections. The breathing issues in newborns can be triggered by:
- Intense cough.
- Snoring or a whistling sound.
- When your baby is crying, it could sound like barking or hoarse that indicates croup.
- Rapid and heavy breathing, which could potentially fluid in the airways from pneumonia.
- Wheezing that stems from bronchiolitis
- At times, due to an allergy, a persistent dry cough may occur
- In case your newborn stops breathing for over 20 seconds, which signals apnea.
While most fast breathing episodes are harmless, a few medical conditions may present with the same signs:
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Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN):
TTN is a common condition observed among babies born through C-section. It happens when fluid remains in the lungs post-birth. Simply, babies who are affected by TTN will breathe fastly for the first few days of life, but eventually they will recover with time.
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Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS):
This issue is more common among premature babies, RDS typically occurs when there is insufficient surfactant (which is a substance that keeps your lungs open). It will result in fast breathing soon after birth and requires medical help.
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Pneumonia infection:
Infections will result in fever, lethargy, and labored or fast breathing. This issue highly requires prompt diagnosis and antibiotics.
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Congenital heart condition:
Typically, a few babies are born with heart defects that disturb their oxygen flow. One common sign includes fast breathing even when sleeping or at rest.
Which babies are more prone to breathing problems?
Usually, when babies are born earlier than the due date, their organs may be underdeveloped, and it’s obvious they will get breathing issues. Few studies have highlighted that babies born before 32 weeks of gestation are at high risk of developing newborn respiratory distress syndrome.
Full-term babies born by C-section are more likely to develop some breathing problems post-birth, like transient tachypnea of the newborn. Also, this condition will be resolved within 3 days of life. In case your baby has been diagnosed with any health issues, the healthcare provider will instruct you on how you should monitor your baby.
Can I do anything at home?
Simply, keeping an eye on your baby’s breathing is crucial, also, ensure that you are not obsessed with every movement. Further, let’s see a few things you can do to stay informed and calm:
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Monitor them without panicking:
When your tiny wonder is at rest or sleeping, make sure to observe them. This will give you a better baseline.
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Count breaths:
Use a timer or count how many times your baby breaths per minute. Also, look for breathlessness during sleep.
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Maintain a symptom diary:
If you observe patterns such as fast breathing only when sleeping or post-feeding, note them down. This will assist your pediatrician in evaluating the situation.
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Ensure a safe sleeping environment:
Make your baby sleep on their back, on a firm mattress, and keep your baby away from loose bedding or soft toys that block the airways.
Are there any tips for parents and caregivers to deal with newborns’ fast breathing?
You need to understand that cough is a natural way to protect your baby’s airways and get rid of germs. In case you are worried about your infants’ breathing, monitor them for a while, then you can find it’s a normal cold or if that indicates something serious.
Whenever your newborn falls ill, consider taking them immediately to the hospital, because your baby can’t tell you how sick they are. Also, when noticing something strange, make sure to take a video of it. It helps your doctor to better understand your kid’s condition.
Your healthcare provider may advise you on some home care for a mild cold, which includes:
- Keeping them hydrated
- Using saline drops to clear mucus
- Give them a warm bath or run a hot shower, and stay in a steamy bathroom
- Run calming music
- Keep your infant in their favorite position
- Make sure your baby gets sufficient sleep
Simply, whenever you feel like these methods are not working for your child or their conditions worsen, reach out to your healthcare provider. Also, you should not use VapoRub or start treating your baby by yourself, especially babies younger than 2 years of age.
When should I reach out to a doctor?
Only your doctor can accurately diagnose your child’s condition. Simply, if your gut tells you something is wrong, or if your baby is acting abnormal, just reach out to your doctor.
Parents should reach out to their healthcare provider when their kids exhibit:
- Irregular breathing that extends for more than a few minutes
- Fever along with unusual breathing, or any kind of fever in a baby under 2 months.
- Irregular breathing post-bathing
Parents should consider taking their baby to the neonatology hospital in Coimbatore when their baby is in respiratory distress. When your baby stops breathing or loses consciousness, reach out to a hospital immediately.
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, we can say that it’s quite normal to be feared when noticing the abnormalities in your kid’s breath. Make sure to watch your infant’s behavior so you will get familiar with your baby’s activities and can act fast when something goes off track. Simply, if you have any concerns about your baby’s breathing, it’s recommended to consult a healthcare professional or reach out to an immediate care facility or emergency room based on your baby’s condition.
