Evie Summers
If your one-year-old is breathing weird in their sleep, it could be due to various reasons. Children with sleep apnea, asthma, or allergies often experience breathing problems during sleep. In some cases, underlying medical conditions, such as a heart defect, may also be a factor. If your child is unwell, their breathing may become more rapid. Other signs of respiratory distress include an increased breathing and heart rate, colour changes around the mouth and fingernails, and grunting sounds with each exhale. If your child is older, they may complain of chest pain or a tummy ache, whereas younger children might rub their stomach. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your child's breathing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Irregular breathing | Normal for newborns; may be a cause for concern if it persists past the age of six months |
| Retractions | The chest appears to sink in just below the neck, under the breastbone, or between the ribs with each breath |
| Sweating | Increased sweat on the head, but the skin does not feel warm to the touch; skin may feel cool or clammy |
| Wheezing | A tight, whistling, or musical sound heard with each breath; may indicate smaller air passages |
| Stridor | A sound heard in the upper airway when the child breathes in |
| Accessory muscle use | Muscles of the neck appear to be moving, or the child's head is bobbing up and down when breathing in |
| Changes in alertness | Low oxygen levels may cause drowsiness or tiredness |
| Color changes | Bluish color around the mouth, inside of the lips, or on the fingernails; skin may appear pale or gray |
| Grunting | A grunting sound with each exhalation; the body's way of keeping air in the lungs |
| Increased breathing and heart rate | May indicate trouble breathing or insufficient oxygen intake |
| Nasal congestion | Runny or blocked nose, possibly due to allergies or infections |
| Fever | May cause drowsiness, confusion, or irritability |
| Mucus | Yellow, green, or brown mucus may indicate an infection or allergy |
| Asthma | May cause breathlessness or difficulty breathing |
| Sleep apnea | May require tonsil or adenoid surgery |
| Bronchiolitis | Common in children under two years old, starting as a runny nose and cough |
| Croup | Hoarse voice, barking cough, and noisy breathing |
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What You'll Learn
Irregular breathing patterns
It is not uncommon for newborns to breathe irregularly—they may breathe faster for a few seconds and then slow down, especially during sleep. This type of irregular breathing is normal and usually resolves by the time they are six weeks old. However, if irregular breathing persists past the age of six months, it is important to consult a pediatrician to ensure your child's breathing is healthy.
There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate your child is experiencing respiratory distress or difficulty breathing, and these include:
- An increased breathing rate or heart rate.
- Changes in skin colour, such as a bluish tint around the mouth, inside the lips, or on the fingernails, indicating a lack of oxygen.
- Grunting sounds during exhalation, which is the body's way of trying to keep air in the lungs.
- Retractions, where the chest appears to sink in below the neck, under the breastbone, or between the ribs as the child tries to bring more air into their lungs.
- Sweating, especially with cool or clammy skin, which may occur when the breathing rate is very fast.
- Wheezing or a high-pitched whistling sound, indicating that the air passages may be smaller and breathing more difficult.
- Stridor, a sound in the upper airway when the child breathes in.
- Accessory muscle use, where the head bobs up and down, or the neck muscles are visibly moving during breathing.
- Changes in alertness or increased tiredness due to low oxygen levels.
If your child is older, they may be able to communicate discomfort by saying, "My chest hurts" or "I've got a tummy ache". Younger children might rub their tummy. Mucus build-up in the airways, known as catarrh, can also cause breathing problems. If you notice yellow, green, or brown mucus, it could indicate an infection or allergy.
Breathing difficulties can also be caused by a blocked nose due to allergies or a cold, and this can impact sleep. If your child is older than one year, honey can help soothe a sore throat. Additionally, underlying medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, heart defects, or sleep apnoea may contribute to breathing problems during sleep.
If you are concerned about your child's breathing, it is always best to seek medical advice, especially if they display any of the above symptoms or signs of respiratory distress.
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Allergies and infections
Yellow, green, or brown mucus can indicate an infection or allergy. Although this may not be serious and may not require treatment, it is important to talk to a doctor if you are concerned about the colour or amount of mucus. For instance, green mucus running from the nose can be caused by mild infections that do not require antibiotics.
Infections can also cause breathing difficulties. Bronchiolitis, a respiratory infection caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can cause breathing problems in children. Symptoms include coughing, fast breathing, and wheezing. Pneumonia is another common lung infection that can cause breathlessness and fast breathing, and children with asthma or other chronic conditions are at a higher risk of developing it.
Asthma is a common cause of wheezing, a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when a child breathes out. If a child is having difficulty breathing that worsens over time, it could be a sign of an asthma attack. However, wheezing can be caused by other conditions, so it is important to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
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Asthma and sleep apnoea
If your one-year-old is breathing weird in their sleep, it is important to seek medical help. While newborns often breathe irregularly in their sleep, this should not persist past six months of age. If your child is constantly breathing faster than usual, or is rapidly breathing, struggling with their breathing and panting, this could be a sign of asthma or sleep apnoea. Asthma is a common respiratory disorder, with more than 339 million people worldwide currently diagnosed and treated for the condition. Asthma patients frequently report snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleep apnoea. Asthma patients also experience nocturnal symptoms such as coughing or wheezing, which cause sleep disturbances.
Sleep apnoea is also a common respiratory disorder, affecting almost one billion people globally. It is associated with asthma, and asthma patients are more likely to develop sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea can cause nocturnal choking, excessive daytime sleepiness, cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive comorbidities.
If your child is displaying any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care:
- Your child has stopped breathing and is not responsive.
- Your child has ceased breathing for 15 seconds or more, and then resumes breathing.
- Retractions: the chest appears to sink in just below the neck and/or under the breastbone and/or in between the ribs with each breath.
- Colour changes: a bluish colour is seen around the mouth, on the inside of the lips, or on the fingernails, indicating low oxygen levels.
- Grunting: a grunting sound is heard each time the person exhales, which is the body's way of trying to keep air in the lungs.
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Respiratory distress
Some signs of respiratory distress in children include:
- An increase in the number of breaths per minute may indicate that a person is having trouble breathing or not getting enough oxygen.
- Increased heart rate. Low oxygen levels may cause an increase in heart rate.
- Color changes. A bluish color seen around the mouth, on the inside of the lips, or on the fingernails may occur when a person is not getting as much oxygen as needed. The color of the skin may also appear pale or gray.
- Grunting. A grunting sound can be heard each time the person exhales. This grunting is the body's way of trying to keep air in the lungs so they will stay open.
- Retractions. The chest appears to sink in just below the neck and/or under the breastbone and/or in between the ribs with each breath — one way of trying to bring more air into the lungs.
- Sweating. There may be increased sweat on the head, but the skin does not feel warm to the touch. More often, the skin may feel cool, moist, clammy, or sticky. This may happen when the breathing rate is very fast.
- Wheezing. A tight, whistling, or musical sound heard with each breath may indicate that the air passages may be smaller, making it more difficult to breathe.
- Stridor. A distinctive, high-pitched sound heard in the upper airway when the child breathes in.
- Accessory muscle use. The muscles of the neck appear to be moving or your child's head is bobbing up and down when breathing in.
- Changes in alertness. Low oxygen levels may cause your child to act more tired and may indicate respiratory fatigue.
If your child is older, they might say, "My chest hurts" or "I've got a tummy ache". Younger children might rub their tummy as well. Talk to a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for advice on how to treat aches and pains in your child. Mucus (phlegm) protects your child's airways. It traps dust and germs and carries them out of their lungs. Mucus can be a problem if it doesn't work properly or if there is too much of it. A build-up of mucus in your child's airways is called catarrh. Young children usually swallow their mucus, so you may not know what color it is. But if you are able to see it, yellow, green, or brown mucus is a sign of infection or allergy. It might not be serious or need treatment. For example, green mucus running from their nose can be caused by mild infections that don't need antibiotics. Talk to your child's doctor if you're concerned about the color of their mucus or if you think there's too much of it.
If your child is breathing differently than usual, it is important to seek help. If your child has stopped breathing and is not responsive, immediately begin CPR and call 911. If your child ceases breathing for 15 seconds or more and then resumes breathing, visit the pediatric ER. Even if your child seems fine, it is important to make sure the underlying reason for the episode has been resolved.
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Bronchiolitis or pneumonia
If your one-year-old is breathing weird in their sleep, it could be a sign of bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Bronchiolitis is a viral infection that causes the airways (bronchioles) in your child's lungs to narrow, making breathing difficult. It usually affects children younger than 2 years old and is more common during the fall and winter months. The first symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to those of a common cold, such as a runny nose and cough. However, as the infection progresses, your child may experience noisy breathing (wheezing), coughing, and a slight fever.
Pneumonia is also a lung infection that can develop after bronchiolitis. It is caused by the same viruses that cause bronchiolitis and typically occurs during the winter months. While pneumonia can range in severity, walking pneumonia is a less serious form of the infection. Symptoms of pneumonia may include a persistent cough, increased breathing rate, and low oxygen levels, which can cause your child to act more tired than usual.
If you suspect that your child has bronchiolitis or pneumonia, it is important to seek medical advice. A doctor will typically listen to your child's chest and check their oxygen levels. In some cases, they may also order a chest X-ray or a mucus sample for testing. Treatment for bronchiolitis and pneumonia focuses on easing symptoms and ensuring your child gets enough fluids. In more severe cases, your child may need to be hospitalized to monitor their breathing and provide supportive care.
It is important to be vigilant about your child's breathing patterns and overall health, especially if they are displaying signs of respiratory distress. Some signs to look out for include retractions (sucking in of the muscles under the ribs with each breath), increased sweating, wheezing, grunting, and colour changes around the mouth or fingernails. If your child is displaying any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
To prevent your child from developing bronchiolitis or pneumonia, it is recommended to practice good hygiene and avoid exposure to sick individuals. Keep your child away from secondhand smoke, as it increases their risk for respiratory infections. Additionally, ensure that your child is up to date on their vaccinations and preventative medicines, as recommended by their pediatrician.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be a number of reasons for this, including:
- Allergies or a mild infection causing a runny or blocked nose.
- Asthma or other underlying medical conditions.
- Sleep apnoea, which can be treated with surgery.
- Bronchiolitis, a common condition in young children that causes breathing difficulties.
- Croup, which causes noisy breathing and a barking cough.
If you are concerned about your child's breathing, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.
Signs of respiratory distress include:
- An increased breathing and heart rate.
- Low oxygen levels, indicated by tiredness and pale or grey skin.
- Grunting with each exhale.
- Retractions, where the chest appears to sink in below the neck or between the ribs.
- Wheezing, a high-pitched whistling sound.
If your child is having trouble breathing, it is important to seek urgent medical attention. In the meantime, you can:
- Lower their temperature using paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Keep them well hydrated by offering fluids.
- Use a humidifier to treat nasal congestion.
- Ensure their sleeping area is free of irritants such as dust and smoke.
Common cough medicines are not recommended for children. If your child is over one year old, you can give them honey to soothe their throat.
Yes, it is important to ensure your child is sleeping in a safe position. Sleeping on the back is recommended for young infants to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
