A baby’s breathing patterns offer important insights into their well-being, naturally appearing faster than those of older children and adults. Understanding what constitutes a typical breathing rate can help caregivers feel more at ease and recognize variations that might warrant attention.
Normal Breathing Rate for a 6-Month-Old
For a healthy 6-month-old infant, a normal respiratory rate is between 30 and 60 breaths per minute when calm and resting. This rate can fluctuate based on the baby’s activity level. For instance, breathing may increase during crying or excitement and decrease during deep sleep.
Infants often exhibit “periodic breathing,” a normal pattern. This involves short pauses in breathing, usually lasting 5 to 10 seconds, followed by a series of rapid breaths. While it might seem concerning, this pattern is common in young infants, particularly during sleep, and usually resolves by six months of age.
How to Count Your Baby’s Respiratory Rate
To accurately determine your baby’s respiratory rate, count when they are calm and still, ideally while asleep. Position yourself to clearly see the rise and fall of their chest or abdomen. Each complete rise and fall counts as one breath.
Use a timer and count the breaths for a full 60 seconds for the most accurate measurement. A baby’s breathing can be irregular, so counting for a full minute helps account for any variations in their pattern. Placing a light hand on their abdomen can also help you feel the movements if visual observation is difficult.
Signs of Respiratory Distress in Infants
Beyond the breathing rate, several signs can indicate an infant is working harder to breathe. Tachypnea is a consistently fast breathing rate, often exceeding 60 breaths per minute, even at rest. Nasal flaring is another indicator, where the baby’s nostrils widen with each inhalation as they attempt to take in more air.
Other signs of respiratory distress include:
- Retractions: Skin pulling inward with each breath, visible between ribs, below the ribcage, or at the neck.
- Grunting: A short, low-pitched sound at the end of exhalation, suggesting the baby is trying to keep air in their lungs.
- Wheezing: A high-pitched whistling sound during breathing, signaling difficulty.
- Cyanosis: A bluish tint to the skin, lips, or tongue, indicating insufficient oxygen levels.
When to Contact a Doctor
Recognizing when to seek medical attention for your baby’s breathing is important. If you observe severe retractions, persistent grunting, or any bluish discoloration of the lips, skin, or tongue (cyanosis), seek immediate emergency care. These signs suggest a significant struggle to breathe and require urgent evaluation.
Contact your pediatrician if your baby consistently has a high respiratory rate, especially above 60 breaths per minute at rest, even without the more severe signs mentioned above. This is relevant if accompanied by other signs of illness, such as a fever or poor feeding. Additionally, if periodic breathing continues past six months of age, or if pauses last longer than 10 seconds or become more frequent, medical advice should be sought.