Colin Snow
Newborns tend to have irregular breathing patterns, alternating between fast and slow breathing with occasional pauses. While some breathing noises are perfectly normal, others may be a cause for concern. If you are ever concerned about your baby's breathing, it is important to seek medical advice. Here are some of the reasons why your newborn may be breathing funny in their sleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Normal breathing rate during newborn sleep | 30 to 60 breaths per minute |
| Normal breathing rate for a newborn when awake | 40 to 60 breaths per minute |
| Signs of potentially worrisome breathing problems | Persistently increased rate of breathing (greater than 60 breaths per minute), Grunting, Flaring, Retractions, Cyanosis |
| Causes of noisy breathing | Cysts, Hemangiomas, Inhaled objects, Laryngomalacia, Mucus in nostrils, Mucus in the larynx, Mucus in bronchioles, Fluid in the smallest airways, Pneumonia, Allergies, Asthma, Gastroesophageal reflux |
| Signs of respiratory distress | Difficulty eating, Not gaining weight, Indentation in a child's chest and neck |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns breathe fast and slow with pauses—30 to 60 breaths per minute while sleeping
- Noisy breathing is common when lying flat on the back, the correct sleep position
- Laryngomalacia, excess tissue around the larynx, can cause a high-pitched squeak
- Whistling noises are caused by mucus or dried milk blocking the nostrils
- Grunting while breathing could be a sign of blocked airways and is a cause for concern
Newborns breathe fast and slow with pauses—30 to 60 breaths per minute while sleeping
It is perfectly normal for newborns to breathe fast and slow with pauses—30 to 60 breaths per minute while sleeping. Their breathing rate can slow down to 30 to 40 breaths per minute while they sleep. Newborns tend to have an irregular breathing pattern that alternates between fast and slow, with occasional pauses. This is because they are still learning to breathe, as in the womb, the umbilical cord delivered all their oxygen straight to their body through their blood.
Newborns breathe a lot faster than older babies, kids, and adults. When awake, a baby can take more than 60 breaths per minute, especially if they have been crying. A newborn's normal breathing rate is about 40 to 60 breaths per minute. However, a persistently increased rate of breathing (greater than 60 breaths per minute) could be a sign of a breathing problem. If you are concerned 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.
It is important to familiarize yourself with your newborn's typical breathing pattern while they are healthy and relaxed. This way, you can notice if anything changes. You can also make a video of the breathing pattern that is worrying you to show to your baby's healthcare provider.
Newborns can also make unusual breathing noises, and this is usually normal. Sneezing is common in newborns and is not usually a cause for concern. Newborns have smaller nasal passages than adults and are still adjusting to breathing through their noses as they grow and develop. However, if sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing, or a fever, you should talk to a doctor.
Some other breathing noises your baby makes may be a cause for concern. A hoarse cry and a "barking" cough could be caused by a blockage in the larynx (windpipe), often due to mucus. A deep cough could be caused by a blockage in the large bronchi (divisions of the trachea, which lead into the lungs). A whistling sound (wheezing) could be a sign of bronchiolitis or asthma. A high-pitched, squeaky sound is called stridor or laryngomalacia, and while it is typically harmless, it indicates an airway obstruction.
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Noisy breathing is common when lying flat on the back, the correct sleep position
Newborns tend to have irregular breathing patterns, alternating between fast and slow breathing, with occasional pauses. This is usually nothing to worry about, but certain signs may indicate a more serious problem. Noisy breathing is common when a baby lies flat on their back, which is the recommended sleep position.
Newborns take about 40 to 60 breaths per minute while awake. A normal breathing rate during sleep is anywhere from 30 to 60 breaths per minute. If a baby breathes faster, it may indicate they are having trouble breathing. Newborn breathing patterns during sleep can sound irregular, and this is normal, even if it's stressful for parents to hear. Their breathing may stop for 5 to 10 seconds, then start again with rapid breathing at the rate of 50 to 60 breaths per minute for 10 to 15 seconds, followed by regular breathing before the pattern repeats.
Noisy breathing can be caused by laryngomalacia, a harmless condition that usually resolves on its own by the time a child reaches age two. It is caused by floppy tissue falling over the larynx (voice box) and partially blocking the airway when a child breathes in. The sound is often a high-pitched squeak that worsens when the baby is agitated, feeding, crying, or sleeping on their back. Babies with laryngomalacia can be positioned to lessen the breathing problem. They can be placed on their stomach when awake and watched carefully.
Other causes of noisy breathing include cysts, hemangiomas, inhaled objects, and mucus in the nostrils. In rare cases, snoring can be a sign of a chronic condition, such as sleep apnea or enlarged tonsils. If you are concerned about your baby's breathing, you should contact your healthcare provider. Signs of potentially worrisome breathing problems include a persistently increased rate of breathing (greater than 60 breaths per minute), grunting, flaring nostrils, retractions (visible movement of the muscles in the baby's chest and neck), and cyanosis (blue-tinted blood indicating insufficient oxygen).
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Laryngomalacia, excess tissue around the larynx, can cause a high-pitched squeak
It is perfectly normal for newborns to have irregular breathing patterns, and they can often breathe noisily. In fact, a newborn can take anywhere from 30 to 60 breaths per minute while sleeping, and this can be slower or faster depending on the baby. However, there are certain breathing patterns and noises that may be a cause for concern.
Laryngomalacia is typically not a serious condition and does not cause any breathing or feeding issues for most babies. However, in severe cases, it can lead to breathing and feeding complications, along with other issues. Symptoms of severe laryngomalacia include apnea (long pauses in breathing), aspiration (pulling food into the lungs), cyanosis (bluish skin), difficulty swallowing, and an inability to gain weight. If these symptoms are observed, it is important to contact a pediatrician right away.
Healthcare providers categorise laryngomalacia into three types: Type 1, where the mucous membranes of the voice box are too tight or too short; Type 2, where the upper part of the voice box has excess soft tissue; and Type 3, where an underlying disorder causes laryngomalacia. A nasopharyngolaryngoscopy (NPL) is the main test used to diagnose laryngomalacia, and it is a simple, routine procedure that can be done in a few minutes.
While laryngomalacia usually resolves on its own within a year or two without treatment, it is always a good idea to consult a pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby's breathing.
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Whistling noises are caused by mucus or dried milk blocking the nostrils
It is normal for newborns to have irregular breathing patterns, and you may hear a lot of noisy breathing or even pauses in their breathing. Most of the time, this is no cause for concern, but certain red flags warrant a call to the doctor. A newborn takes about 40 to 60 breaths each minute while awake, and a normal breathing rate during newborn sleep is anywhere from 30 to 60 breaths per minute. If a baby breathes faster, it may indicate they are having some trouble breathing.
If your newborn is making a whistling noise while breathing, this could be caused by a small blockage in their nostrils. Newborns breathe out of their noses, and their little noses have small air passages, so a little bit of mucus or dried milk can make the breathing passage even smaller, causing a whistling noise or occasionally, difficulty moving air in and out. This whistling noise tends to clear when suctioned out.
If your baby is breathing through their mouth, this could be a sign of a blockage in their nose. Mouth breathing can result in long-term health consequences if left untreated. In many cases, it is a symptom that indicates airway restriction. Your baby will resort to mouth breathing as an adaptation to help them get enough oxygen.
If you are concerned about your baby's breathing, it is important to seek medical advice. Some signs of potentially worrisome breathing problems include a persistently increased breathing rate (greater than 60 breaths per minute), grunting, flaring nostrils, chest and neck muscles visibly moving in and out deeply, and cyanosis (where the blood remains blue due to insufficient oxygen in the lungs).
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Grunting while breathing could be a sign of blocked airways and is a cause for concern
It is normal for newborns to have irregular breathing patterns that alternate between fast and slow, with occasional pauses. However, grunting while breathing could indicate that your baby is experiencing respiratory distress and is a cause for concern.
Grunting respirations are recognised as a sign of serious illness in infants and children. It is a sign of increased work to breathe. This could be due to blocked airways, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including mucus or dried milk in the nose, a blockage in the larynx, or fluid in the smallest airways.
If your baby is grunting while breathing, it is important to seek medical advice. You can make a video of the breathing pattern to show to your baby's healthcare provider, as this can help determine if there is a problem in the breathing passages.
Other signs of potentially worrisome breathing problems in your baby include a persistently increased rate of breathing (greater than 60 breaths per minute), flaring nostrils, retractions (visible movement of the muscles in the baby's chest and neck), and cyanosis (blue lips, tongue, hands, or feet due to lack of oxygen in the blood).
If your baby is having difficulty breathing, or you notice any abnormal behaviours or actions, it may be time to seek emergency care.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns tend to have an irregular breathing pattern that alternates between fast and slow, with occasional pauses. Their breathing rate can vary between 30 to 60 breaths per minute during sleep. This irregular breathing is normal and usually does not require treatment.
Signs of potentially concerning breathing problems include a persistently high breathing rate (over 60 breaths per minute), grunting at the end of respiration, flaring nostrils, chest and neck retractions, and cyanosis (blue discolouration of skin and lips due to low oxygen in the blood).
One common cause of noisy breathing is laryngomalacia, characterised by a high-pitched squeaking sound. It is caused by floppy tissue blocking the airway when the baby breathes in and usually resolves on its own by age 2. Mucus in the nostrils, cysts, and inhaled objects can also lead to noisy breathing.
If you are concerned about your newborn's breathing, it is always best to consult a doctor. Some red flags that may warrant immediate medical attention include difficulty breathing, abnormal behaviours, choking episodes, and persistent respiratory issues lasting more than five days.
To improve your newborn's breathing, ensure they are clothed in breathable fabrics, avoiding excessive layers. Using saline drops or a nasal aspirator can help clear mucus and ease breathing. Keeping your baby upright during feeding and positioning them on their stomach while awake can also help alleviate breathing problems.
