Newborn Breathing Patterns: Deep Breaths, What's Normal?

is it normal for newborns to take deep breaths

Newborns have irregular breathing patterns that can be a cause of concern for new parents. They can breathe fast, take long pauses between breaths, and make unusual noises. This is because newborns breathe more through their nostrils than their mouths, their breathing pathways are smaller and easier to obstruct, their chest wall is more pliable, their respiration isn’t fully developed, and they may still have amniotic fluid and meconium in their airways right after birth. Typically, a newborn takes 30 to 60 breaths per minute, which can slow down to 30 to 40 breaths per minute while they sleep. Newborns can also take rapid breaths, then pause for up to 10 seconds at a time.

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Newborns breathe through their noses more than their mouths

It is perfectly normal for newborns to take deep breaths. In fact, newborns often have irregular breathing patterns that concern new parents. They can breathe fast, take long pauses between breaths, and make unusual noises. Newborns breathe differently from adults and older children, and their breathing patterns may seem scary or unusual. However, it is important to be aware of your baby's typical breathing pattern to identify any potential concerns.

Newborns breathe more through their noses than their mouths. This is because they are "'obligate nose breathers', meaning that they can only breathe through their noses. The only time newborns breathe through their mouths is when they are crying. This is due to certain physical features that make mouth breathing more difficult, such as a larger tongue, smaller mouth, and elevated larynx. Additionally, during feeding, the mouth is blocked by the breast or bottle, so it is vital that a baby can breathe through their nose.

Young babies do not develop the reflex to breathe through their mouths until they are around 3 to 5 months old. Even then, their preference will always be nasal breathing. As babies breathe through their nose and often sleep with their mouth open, both areas can dry out quickly, especially if air conditioners or heaters are being used in the room, as they severely reduce humidity.

If a baby's nasal passage is blocked, they may resort to mouth breathing. This can be due to a stuffy nose or a more complex condition. Mouth breathing can result in long-term health consequences if left untreated. It is often a symptom that indicates airway restriction, and your baby will adapt by mouth breathing to get enough oxygen.

To ensure your baby can breathe easily through their nose, it is important to keep their nasal passages clear. If your baby's nose is blocked, you can try using a saline spray to flush out each nostril and then use a motorized suction device to clear and remove any excess mucus.

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Their breathing pathways are much smaller and can be easily obstructed

Newborns' breathing pathways are much smaller than those of adults and can be easily obstructed. Their nostrils are small, so even a little bit of mucus or dried milk can cause a blockage, leading to irregular breathing patterns and unusual breathing noises.

Newborns tend to breathe through their noses rather than their mouths. This is so they can breathe and eat simultaneously. However, this means that any blockage in the nose can cause breathing difficulties. Whistling noises, for example, can be caused by a small amount of mucus or milk in the nostrils, which can be easily cleared with a suction device.

Newborns' chest walls are also more pliable than those of adults, as they are made mostly of cartilage. This, along with their smaller breathing pathways, means that newborns are more likely to experience respiratory distress. Their respiration is also not yet fully developed, as they are still learning to use their lungs and breathing muscles.

It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of their newborn's typical breathing pattern. This way, they can identify any potential issues and seek medical advice if necessary. While newborns often have irregular breathing patterns, certain signs may indicate a more serious problem. For example, if a newborn is breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute, or if they are grunting at the end of each breath, this could be a sign of respiratory distress. Other warning signs include a bluish tinge to the skin, pulling in of the muscles under the ribs or around the neck, and difficulty feeding.

While newborn breathing patterns can appear alarming, most of the time there is no cause for concern. However, it is always better to be cautious and seek medical advice if you are worried about your newborn's breathing.

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Their chest wall is more pliable than an adult's

A newborn's chest wall is more pliable than an adult's because it is made mostly of cartilage. This is one of the reasons why newborn breathing looks and sounds different from adult breathing.

Newborns have developing lungs and weaker muscles, and so their typical breathing pattern may appear fast. They also breathe mostly through their noses, and their breathing pathways are much smaller and easier to obstruct. Their respiration is also not fully developed as they are still learning to use their lungs and the associated breathing muscles.

Newborns take around 30 to 60 breaths per minute, which can slow down to 30 to 40 breaths per minute during sleep. This is very different from adult breathing patterns, which is why new parents might be alarmed. However, within a few months, most of the irregularities of newborn breathing resolve themselves.

Newborns may also experience periodic breathing of infancy, where their breathing rate might not be consistent and regular. They can stop breathing for several seconds, then take several rapid breaths before returning to a more regular breathing rate. This is usually okay as long as the rate of breathing returns to 30-60 breaths per minute, and there are no other signs of breathing issues.

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Their respiration isn't fully developed

Newborns have a very different breathing pattern from adults. Their respiration isn't fully developed, and they are still learning to use their lungs and the associated breathing muscles. They also have smaller lungs and weaker muscles, and their breathing pathways are much smaller and easier to obstruct. All of this can lead to irregular breathing patterns that may be concerning to new parents.

Newborns tend to breathe through their nostrils rather than their mouths. Their nostrils are tiny, so even a small amount of mucus or dried milk can cause a blockage, leading to unusual breathing sounds. Their chest wall is also more pliable than an adult's, as it is made mostly of cartilage.

Newborns take 30 to 60 breaths per minute, which can slow down to 30 to 40 breaths per minute during sleep. They can also take rapid breaths, followed by pauses of up to 10 seconds. This is very different from adult breathing patterns, which is why new parents may be alarmed. However, within a few months, most of these irregularities resolve themselves.

It's important for parents and caregivers to be aware of their newborn's typical breathing pattern so that they can identify any potential concerns. Some signs of respiratory distress that may indicate a serious breathing problem include:

  • Grunting or moaning at the end of each breath
  • Flaring nostrils, indicating increased effort to breathe
  • Pulling in of the muscles around the collarbones or ribs
  • Difficulty feeding in addition to breathing issues
  • Lethargy or restlessness in addition to breathing issues
  • A fever in addition to breathing issues
  • Bluish colouring around the lips, tongue, hands, feet, or nail beds

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Newborns take 30-60 breaths per minute

Newborns have a much faster breathing rate than older babies, children, and adults. Typically, newborns take 30 to 60 breaths per minute, which can be quite alarming for new parents. During sleep, this rate may slow down to 30 to 40 breaths per minute, and by 6 months of age, babies breathe about 25 to 40 times per minute.

Newborns may also experience "periodic breathing of infancy," where their breathing pattern is irregular with pauses of several seconds, followed by rapid breaths before returning to a more regular rate. This type of breathing should resolve by 6 months of age.

It's important to familiarize yourself with your newborn's typical breathing pattern. This way, you can identify any deviations and determine if something is wrong. If you notice any signs of respiratory distress, such as persistent grunting, bluish colouring around the lips or hands, or a chest that pulls in with each breath, seek immediate medical attention.

Frequently asked questions

Newborns tend to have irregular breathing patterns, which can be concerning for new parents. They can breathe fast, take long pauses between breaths, and make unusual noises. However, this is usually nothing to worry about. Newborns breathe more through their nostrils than their mouths, and their breathing pathways are much smaller, which can lead to unusual breathing patterns.

A newborn's breathing rate can vary between 30 and 60 breaths per minute while awake, slowing down to 30 to 40 breaths per minute during sleep. A breathing rate above 60 breaths per minute is considered rapid and may indicate a breathing problem.

While occasional breathing irregularities are normal, persistent or prolonged rapid breathing could indicate a serious issue. Signs of respiratory distress include flaring nostrils, pulling in chest muscles, bluish colouring around the lips and skin, and difficulty feeding. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms.

It is important to familiarize yourself with your newborn's typical breathing pattern when they are healthy and relaxed. This will help you notice any changes or irregularities. You can also time their breathing rate by counting the number of breaths in 30 seconds and doubling that number to get the rate per minute.

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