A newborn’s breathing pattern is distinctly different from an adult’s, often causing concern for new parents. Unlike the steady rhythm of older children and adults, an infant’s respiration is frequently shallow and irregular. Understanding these differences is helpful, as the respiratory rate reflects a newborn’s overall well-being. A change in the speed or effort of breathing can be an early indicator of illness or distress, making accurate assessment important.
The Normal Range and How to Measure It
The accepted normal resting respiratory rate for a healthy, full-term newborn ranges from about 40 to 60 breaths per minute. This rate is significantly faster than an adult’s rate of 12 to 20 breaths per minute, reflecting the infant’s higher metabolic needs and smaller lung capacity. When the baby is in a deep sleep, the rate may naturally slow down to between 30 and 40 breaths per minute.
To accurately measure the rate, count when the infant is calm, resting, or sleeping, and not immediately after crying or feeding. Observe the rise and fall of the baby’s abdomen or chest, counting each rise as one breath. Since a newborn’s breathing pattern is often irregular, counting must be done for a full 60 seconds to get a reliable average.
Counting for less than a full minute can lead to an inaccurate measurement due to the natural pauses and bursts in the breathing cycle. If observing movement is difficult, gently place a hand on the baby’s chest or abdomen to feel the movement while counting. A consistently high or low rate, even when resting, may indicate a need for medical evaluation.
Typical Irregularities in Newborn Breathing
Newborn breathing includes variations considered normal, often related to the immaturity of the central nervous system. One common pattern is periodic breathing, which involves short pauses in respiration followed by rapid, shallow breaths. These pauses usually last between five and ten seconds, after which the baby catches up with a series of quick breaths.
This pattern is harmless and differs from apnea, which is a pause lasting 20 seconds or longer that requires medical attention. Periodic breathing is most often observed during sleep and generally stops as the baby matures, often by six months of age. Infants are also primarily abdominal breathers, meaning their belly moves more noticeably than their chest. This is normal because their pliable rib cage allows the diaphragm to do most of the work.
Recognizing Signs of Respiratory Distress
Identifying signs of respiratory distress is important, as they indicate the baby is working harder to take in oxygen. Tachypnea, a consistently rapid rate over 60 breaths per minute while resting, suggests the baby is struggling. Conversely, bradypnea, a consistently slow rate under 30 breaths per minute, is also a serious warning sign.
Beyond the rate, specific visual and auditory cues signal difficulty. Nasal flaring is a reflex where the nostrils widen with inhalation, attempting to take in more air. Grunting is an audible sound made upon exhalation, caused by the baby partially closing the vocal cords to keep air in the lungs and build up oxygen levels.
Chest retractions are another visual sign, where the skin pulls inward between the ribs (intercostal), below the ribcage (subcostal), or above the collarbones with each breath. This indicates the baby is using accessory muscles, requiring excessive effort. The presence of cyanosis—a blue or gray tint to the skin, lips, or nail beds—is a severe sign of oxygen deprivation. Any of these signs, regardless of the respiratory rate, warrant immediate medical attention.