The pulse, or heart rate, measures how efficiently an infant’s heart pumps blood. This measurement indicates an infant’s overall health. Understanding how to check an infant’s pulse can offer reassurance to caregivers and provide valuable information, helping identify potential health concerns that may require medical attention.
Locating and Measuring an Infant’s Pulse
Checking an infant’s pulse requires a gentle touch and knowledge of the appropriate locations. The brachial pulse, found on the inner upper arm, is the most accessible and reliable spot for infants. To locate it, lay your baby on their back with one arm slightly bent, exposing the inner arm between the shoulder and elbow. Gently press two fingers, not your thumb, on the spot until you feel a consistent beat. Applying too much pressure can obstruct the pulse, while too little may not allow you to feel it.
Another location for checking an infant’s pulse is the femoral artery, located in the groin area where the thigh meets the torso. To find the femoral pulse, position the baby safely and remove their diaper. Place your index and middle fingers gently on the femoral pulses, feeling for a beat about halfway between the pubic bone and the crest of the hip bone. It is advised to feel both sides simultaneously to compare their strength and equality.
The apical pulse offers a direct assessment of the heart’s sounds and is preferred by medical professionals, though caregivers can learn this method. This involves using a stethoscope to listen directly over the heart. In infants, the apical pulse is located at the fourth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
To measure the apical pulse, position the infant comfortably. Warm the stethoscope’s chest piece before placing it gently on the infant’s chest at the identified location. Listen for the “lub-dub” sounds, where each “lub-dub” counts as one heartbeat. Count the beats for a full 60 seconds to ensure accuracy, especially if the rhythm appears irregular. Perform this in a quiet environment to better concentrate and detect subtle pulses.
Understanding Normal Infant Pulse Rates
An infant’s pulse rate naturally varies depending on their age, activity level, and whether they are awake or asleep. Infants have a faster heart rate than older children and adults, and their heart rate tends to slow down as they grow.
For newborns (birth to one month), a normal resting heart rate ranges from 70 to 190 beats per minute (bpm). Infants aged one to eleven months have a resting heart rate between 80 to 160 bpm. When awake, newborns range from 100 to 205 bpm, and infants up to 12 months from 100 to 180 bpm.
Various factors can influence an infant’s heart rate, leading to temporary fluctuations. Crying, feeding, or being active will naturally increase it. During sleep, an infant’s heart rate will decrease, with newborns averaging 90 to 160 bpm and infants 1 to 12 months around 90 to 150 bpm. Other influences include room temperature, infection, and feeding patterns.
When to Seek Medical Help
A pulse rate that is consistently higher or lower than the normal range for an infant’s age warrants evaluation by a healthcare provider. For example, a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, especially if accompanied by signs of poor perfusion such as pale or bluish discoloration, may indicate a serious issue.
Other concerning symptoms alongside an abnormal pulse include difficulty breathing, noticeable pulling of muscles between the ribs, or flaring of the nostrils. If an infant appears pale or gray, has blue lips, or becomes hard to wake up, these signs necessitate immediate emergency assistance. A persistent irregular heartbeat, even if occasional skips are not always concerning, should also be evaluated by a medical professional.
If you are unable to find a pulse and the infant is unresponsive or appears lifeless, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately and call emergency services. For less severe, but still concerning, symptoms like an infant appearing fussy, pale, having low energy levels, or experiencing feeding problems when an irregular pulse is detected, consulting a pediatrician is advised.