Many new parents observe their baby’s belly rising and falling prominently with each breath. This is a normal and expected part of infant development. Understanding why babies breathe this way and what constitutes healthy breathing patterns can alleviate common parental concerns.
Understanding Infant Breathing Patterns
Babies predominantly breathe using a muscle called the diaphragm, located just below their lungs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, causing the abdomen to expand and drawing air into the lungs. This results in the visible “belly breathing,” where the baby’s stomach rises and falls. This method of breathing is highly efficient for infants. Their ribcages are not yet fully developed. Additionally, a baby’s chest muscles are not strong enough in early life to effectively assist in breathing. Relying on the diaphragm ensures babies receive sufficient oxygen.
Observing Normal Breathing
Observing a baby’s breathing can offer reassurance. Healthy abdominal breathing appears rhythmic and quiet, with a consistent, gentle movement of the abdomen. Newborns breathe faster than older children and adults, with a normal rate ranging from 40 to 60 breaths per minute when awake. This rate might slow to around 30 to 40 breaths per minute during sleep. It is common for newborns to exhibit periodic breathing, where they might breathe rapidly for a few seconds, followed by brief pauses of up to 10 seconds, before resuming their normal pattern. Such variations are normal and tend to resolve as the baby matures.
Recognizing Signs of Difficulty
While belly breathing is normal, certain signs may indicate a baby is experiencing breathing difficulties and requires immediate medical attention. One sign is nasal flaring, where the nostrils widen with each breath. Grunting sounds with each exhale can be a warning sign. Retractions, which involve the skin sucking in around the ribs, below the breastbone, or above the collarbones, are another indicator.
Other concerning symptoms include unusually rapid breathing, especially if consistently over 60 breaths per minute at rest. A bluish tint around the lips, tongue, or fingernails, known as cyanosis, signals a lack of oxygen and requires immediate medical attention. Prolonged pauses in breathing lasting longer than 10 to 20 seconds, or changes in alertness such as unusual sleepiness or irritability, require medical evaluation. Parents should trust their instincts and seek medical help if they observe any of these signs.
How Breathing Changes Over Time
As babies grow, their respiratory system matures, leading to a gradual shift in their breathing patterns. Over the first few years of life, their chest muscles strengthen, and their rib cage becomes more rigid. This development allows them to transition from predominantly abdominal breathing to more thoracic, or chest, breathing, similar to adults. The transition is not sudden but occurs incrementally as their body develops. By the age of six months, babies breathe about 25 to 40 times per minute, a rate that continues to decrease as they get older.