Have you ever worried about a baby’s breathing problem? Babies do not come with a manual. As they grow, they will begin to experience new milestones and challenges. If you have a baby 2 months old or less, you’ll want to track their breathing patterns.
You may not know it, but it’s often hard for new parents to identify. One of the reasons is that it happens so frequently. If you’re a first-time parent, read along to know how to tell if your baby is breathing correctly.
How to tell if baby breathing is normal
You might be worried that your baby isn’t breathing correctly. Here are some signs that can help you determine if what your seeing is normal for a baby’s respiratory system. Contact your pediatrician or local emergency room immediately if you have any concerns about your child’s breathing.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if your baby is breathing normally, especially when you’re a new parent. Here are some things to look for:
- Is the belly rising and falling? (If it’s not moving, that’s a sign of trouble)
- Do they make noises when they breathe? (Grunting or wheezing are signs that something’s wrong.)
- Are they coughing or sneezing? (This can be normal, but if it happens too much or too hard, it’s time to get help.)
Normal baby breathing vs retractions
Normal baby breathing is just like it sounds: normal. Your newborn should have no trouble absorbing air and letting it out again as they sleep or play. If they have trouble with this task, they may need help from an inhaler or other medical device to keep their lungs clear and healthy.
Retractions happen when the muscles of your baby’s chest wall tighten up and pull inward toward the center of their body whenever they breathe.
This makes their ribcage look like it has shrunken inward instead of expanded outward as it normally does when inhaling air into their lungs and exhaling carbon dioxide back out through their nose or mouth (or both).
Baby breathing sounds like phlegm
If your baby is making a lot of coughing and choking sounds, it could be because they are having trouble breathing. The sounds are similar to phlegm, so you might think something is stuck in their throat. However, it just indicates how hard they are working on breathing.
If your baby is making these noises and seems otherwise normal, then there’s no need to worry. However, if they’re not moving around or interacting with others during this time or if they seem to be having difficulty breathing on their own, then you should contact a medical professional immediately.
Baby breathing fast
It’s normal for babies to breathe fast when they’re asleep. Their lungs are still developing, and they can’t control their breathing yet, so they take in more oxygen than adults.
Babies also have a higher metabolic rate than adults because they have more muscle mass and less body fat, which means more work for their organs. So even when sleeping, your baby will breathe faster than you do.
Call the doctor immediately if your breathing seems labored or you hear wheezing or gurgling sounds, call the doctor right away!
Baby breathing heavily
Your baby is breathing heavily, which can happen for various reasons.
Breathing heavily can signify that your baby is not feeling well, and it’s important to ensure they’re okay.
One reason your baby might be breathing heavily is due to teething. Teething can cause your baby to feel discomfort and pain, which may lead them to breathe heavily and rub their gums against the surface they’re lying on.
Another reason your baby might be breathing heavily is that they’re having trouble falling asleep. If this happens often, you should speak with your doctor about ways to help them sleep better and reduce their stress levels before bedtime so that they can get more restful sleep each night and feel more rested during the day.
Why is my baby breathing with her mouth open
Your baby may be breathing with her mouth open because she’s having trouble breathing through her nose. This can happen for several reasons, including allergies, colds, flu, or a stuffed-up nose.
If your baby has been diagnosed with asthma, she may also breathe through her mouth when she’s experiencing an asthma attack.
If you notice that your baby is breathing through her mouth, try to keep her calm and comfortable while you’re waiting for medical help to arrive.
Why is my baby breathing through his mouth
Your baby may be breathing through his mouth because he’s teething or in pain from an ear infection or allergies. You can tell if your baby is breathing through his mouth because you’ll see a small hole between his lips and cheeks.
Call your doctor immediately if your baby is breathing through his mouth for more than 24 hours.
A baby’s sneezing can signify an upper respiratory infection, allergies, or even a cold. The type of sneeze your baby has can help determine if you should take him to the doctor.
If your child is very young and sneezes only once or twice and shows no other symptoms, it may be safe to wait and see if he gets better on his own.
However, if she has a persistent runny nose or cough that lasts for more than two weeks, it may be worth taking her in for an evaluation by your pediatrician.
What to do when baby keeps sneezing
It can be a little scary when the baby keeps sneezing, but you don’t need to panic! A few simple steps can help you take control of the situation and make sure your little one gets better.
First, check for signs of a cold or flu:
- Is baby’s nose stuffy?
- Is there mucus or phlegm in their throat?
- Are they coughing? If so, how often and for how long?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s likely that your baby is suffering from some kind of infection. They may also have a fever. Call the doctor or take them in immediately; if not, read on!
Next, ask yourself: are they eating well? Sleeping enough? Drinking enough fluids? These are all important questions when it comes to determining whether or not your child has an upper respiratory infection (URI). If they seem especially lethargic or irritable, then it’s likely that they’re feeling ill.
If they aren’t eating well, try feeding them smaller meals more frequently throughout the day instead of one big meal at night (make sure they’re still getting enough calories overall, though!).
Then, keep track of how much water they drink and how often they pee. If they’re staying hydrated and urinating regularly, there’s no need to worry about dehydration—just make sure they’re not drinking too much water, so they don’t become overhydrated.
Image Source: iStock
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
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