Breathing of a newborn. What parents should know

Newborn babies spend most of their time sleeping. The main sign of their calm rest is considered to be even breathing. Due to the structure of the nasopharynx, the frequency of sighs in infants is higher than in adults. Therefore, parents’ anxiety is sometimes unfounded. But if your newborn seems to be breathing too quickly during sleep, it is advisable to consult a doctor. We can talk about the presence of diseases.

Respiratory system of infants

In the first months of a child's life, his respiratory system adapts to environmental conditions. It is considered anatomically insufficiently mature compared to the organs of an adult. Therefore, infants do not know how to control the functioning of the respiratory system. The normal heart rate of an infant reaches 140 beats per minute, which is almost twice that of an adult. The ribs and muscles of the chest are not sufficiently developed, they are not able to support full inhalations and exhalations. The baby's breathing is shallow and not even enough. Distinctive features of infant breathing include:

• small chest volume;
• short nasopharynx and nasal passages;
• narrow airways;
• weak muscles of the respiratory system.

To sufficiently supply the body with oxygen, the baby breathes frequently and shallowly during sleep.

An adult is capable of taking about 20 breaths per minute. For full lung function, a child needs to make up to 60 movements of the chest.

This is considered absolutely normal. But with the slightest cold, the newborn’s body activates its defenses, which manifests itself in swelling of the nasal mucosa. In this case, breathing becomes difficult. Shortness of breath and wheezing appear. This situation requires therapeutic therapy.

Features of the respiratory system in a child

During the period of intrauterine development of the fetus, the formation and development of vital organs occurs. Their formation is completed after birth. The respiratory system begins to function at full capacity only in adulthood.

Distinctive features of the respiratory system in children:

• At birth, the baby takes its first breath and the lungs open. Their volume is much smaller than the size of the chest. But it contains a sufficient number of blood vessels. To saturate their organs with oxygen, children make breathing movements more often than adults ;
• The large number of breathing movements of children is also due to the fact that the bulk of oxygen enters through the nasal passages. In children, they are narrow and short and contain a large number of lymphatic and blood vessels. At the slightest irritation (dust, infection or allergens), swelling of the mucous membrane occurs, which further complicates the passage of air into the lungs.

Children are not good at breathing through the mouth, so parents are advised to clean their nasal passages more often.

How to determine your breathing rate

When analyzing the breathing of a newborn, you should pay attention to the pace and frequency of respiratory movements. They manifest themselves in contractions of the chest. Normally, the baby takes up to three short breaths, followed by a deeper one. At the age of more than 9 months, the respiratory process becomes uniform. There should be no wheezing or groaning. With proper breathing, chest movements are smooth and calm.

If the child breathes frequently, you should pay attention to the depth of breathing. It is necessary to determine whether the abdominal wall is involved and record the child's behavior during sleep, noting any strange symptoms.

Uneven breathing

Respiratory dysfunction can be asymptomatic or accompanied by characteristic signs. In some cases, pathology occurs in the maternity hospital. First aid is provided by obstetricians. If your child is breathing heavily and frequently at home, you should inform your pediatrician.

It is important to pay attention to whether the following symptoms are present:

• wheezing;
• respiratory arrest;
• apnea syndrome;
• moans;
• cough;
• whistles.

The type of breathing is determined independently. During chest breathing, only the upper part of the body moves. The abdominal type of the respiratory process is characterized by the movement of the muscles of the peritoneum and diaphragm. A healthy one-month-old baby breathes silently and without additional effort.

Normal breathing rate

It is considered normal when a child inhales and exhales air through the nose without any extraneous sounds. Increased breathing is medically called tachypnea. If your baby suffers from this pathology, you should undergo an examination.

For each age period, certain breathing rate standards are provided:

• at the age of 1-2 weeks – 60 breaths per minute;
• from 2 to 12 weeks – no more than 45 times;
• from 3 months to six months – 40 breaths;
• from 6 months to a year – 30-36 breaths.

How does a newborn baby breathe?

Typically, babies breathe by alternating short breaths with deep ones. Sometimes this scares parents, because... It seems that the child is not breathing at all. However, this lasts literally a few seconds, so there is no reason to be afraid.

Sometimes children make uncharacteristic sounds when they breathe. This is absolutely normal. This happens because the child’s respiratory organs are not yet fully developed, but a large amount of air is already passing through them. All this will pass, and breathing will improve about a month after birth. But it has already been proven that breathing takes a little longer to adjust.

If you are still concerned about your baby's breathing, this is a good time to mention it. Your child's doctor will be able to monitor your child's breathing and reassure you or refer you for treatment if necessary. However, you should call the doctor if your child has.

A relationship where your baby's chest and neck muscles appear to move in and out much deeper than usual. Breathing that stops for more than 10 seconds. The face changes and his lips, fingers and toes appear blue. A blue, triangular shape around and around his forehead, nose and lips, meaning the blood is not getting enough oxygen from the lungs.

• More than 60 breaths per minute.
• Persistent grunting at the end of each breath.
• Pointed nostrils, indicating increased effort to breathe.
• A high-pitched, rough sound and a barking cough.

Banerjee.
"Sudden infant death syndrome." Newborns breathe approximately 2-2.5 times faster than adults. This is vital for babies, because their lung capacity is small and their blood is not fully saturated with oxygen. The child compensates for this with his rapid breathing.

Why does a baby breathe often in his sleep?

The causes of restless sleep in children are determined after a thorough examination. Increased breathing may be a consequence of the following pathologies:

1. With a cold, there is congestion in the nasal passages, which prevents the child from breathing freely.
2. The presence of wheezing and severe cough indicate bronchial disease.
3. Inhaling through the mouth indicates enlargement of the adenoids.
4. If the baby breathes frequently and his skin becomes blue, we are talking about oxygen starvation.
5. There is such a syndrome as apnea. It is considered common among newborns and is characterized by cessation of respiratory processes during sleep for 10-20 seconds. Usually the problem goes away on its own.
6. When a foreign body enters the respiratory tract, the ability to make sounds disappears and the area around the lips turns blue.

In some cases, breathing problems occur due to unfavorable room conditions. This happens when there is not enough air or insufficient humidity. Provoking factors are also considered to be too high a room temperature and the presence of foreign odors.

What is periodic breathing, is it dangerous?

Periodic disturbances in the rhythm and depth of breathing are possible in 4 types:

• Cheyne-Stokes. This type is characterized by initially rare and shallow breathing with a gradual increase in inhalation amplitude and depth. When the maximum threshold is reached, the frequency and depth of inspiration gradually decreases, after which an interval of up to 1.5 minutes is possible. Then the process is repeated.
• Biotta. Rhythmic breathing is interrupted by pauses of 30 seconds or more.
• Kussmaul. The breathing process is accompanied by deep but rare breaths and accompanied by noise.
• Grocco. Breathing occurs according to the Cheyne-Stokes type, but instead of pauses there is shallow, weak breathing.

These types of respiratory processes cause harm to both adults and children:

• in children there is a disruption in the development of the respiratory system;
• Oxygen starvation of tissues and organs periodically occurs, which affects their performance. This is a decrease in the functioning of the brain, cardiovascular and nervous systems;
• the development of pathologies in these systems is possible, as well as deterioration of hearing, vision and the presence of constant headaches;
• there is a regular feeling of weakness. At the peak of rapid breathing, loss of consciousness is possible due to an excess of oxygen. At the peak of low breathing, fainting is possible due to lack of oxygen;
• Metabolic processes are disrupted, which leads to a delay in the child’s development (mental, weight and physical).

If pathological breathing is detected in a newborn or an older child, it is recommended to contact a pediatrician for an examination. The specialist will also explain how to behave to parents during prolonged respiratory arrest and the rules for emergency care before the ambulance arrives.

When medical attention is needed

Parents of a newborn child should know when to seek medical help. If the situation is isolated, there is no cause for alarm. If you have regular problems, you should visit your local pediatrician. The inhibited behavior of the baby should worry the relatives. If you have a fever or blue discoloration on your face, you should call an ambulance as soon as possible.

For bronchitis and ARVI symptoms, taking baby syrup and using nasal drops helps alleviate the condition.

Disease Prevention

To prevent the development of unwanted diseases, parents must provide their child with favorable conditions from the moment of birth. It is necessary to regularly ventilate the room and wipe dust from the surface of the furniture. The optimal temperature in a child's room is from 18 to 22 °C. If the air in the room is dry, you need to purchase a special device for humidification.

The main way to prevent diseases of the respiratory system is timely diagnosis. You should not neglect scheduled visits to children's doctors. It is important to monitor your baby's position while sleeping. The most suitable position is lying on your back. The materials of bed linen, mattresses and children's clothing must be natural.

If the baby breathes very quickly when falling asleep, it is dangerous to leave this moment without attention. Lack of oxygen contributes to the appearance of various ailments and delays the development of the child.

Posted by jennie, September 5, 2021 in All about children

Why do the frequency and depth of breathing change?

In some pathological processes, the carbon dioxide content in the blood increases (hypercapnia). This condition is a stimulus for increased respiratory movements. Oxygen deficiency (hypoxia), which develops as a result of diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, poisoning, results in oxygen starvation of brain cells. Lack of O2 in the blood causes an increase in the frequency and depth of breathing.

What does rapid breathing in children mean?

The frequency of inhalation and exhalation may deviate upward from age-related norms, also due to the influence of natural and pathological factors. This pathology occurs more often in children, since they cannot yet regulate the breathing process normally.

Respiratory rate in children: the norm should be checked by a pediatrician during a monthly examination and compared with indicators according to the child’s age

In the absence of natural factors affecting the respiratory process, the child must be examined by a pediatrician.

Normal and tachypnea

Due to their physiological characteristics, young children cover their oxygen needs through frequent shallow breathing. The lungs reach a level of development similar to that of an adult already at school age. As the child grows, the functioning of the respiratory system changes somewhat:

Tachypnea is considered as an excess of the respiratory rate in relation to the average age indicators.

Causes of increased breathing

Increased breathing normally occurs during physical activity. An increase in energy consumption at the tissue level is accompanied by increased pulmonary ventilation. Physiological tachypnea is temporary and resolves within a few minutes after activity decreases.

Sometimes breathing becomes faster during intense mental activity or during nervous overstrain. In children at the peak of a hysteria and its outcome, a change in breathing is often noted, which goes away along with the end of the attack. After the hysterical crying ends, the child usually falls asleep.

Tachypnea fits into the picture of the following conditions:

1. Infections (usually with fever). A rise in temperature occurs with an increase in the intensity of metabolic processes in the body. An increase in tissue metabolism requires increased oxygen consumption.
2. Diseases of the respiratory system. The appearance of areas with reduced aeration in the lungs leads to frequent and shallow breathing.
3. Diseases of the cardiovascular system. The deterioration of heart function and insufficient blood supply in the early stages is compensated by an increase in respiratory function. Tachypnea is part of dyspnea.
4. Poisoning. The mechanisms of increased breathing in such conditions are different.
5. Neurological disorders. There is a direct connection between respiratory rate and the activity of the central and autonomic nervous systems.

Causes of decreased breathing rate

Factors that reduce the frequency of inhalation and exhalation can be natural or pathological:

Video on what to do if a child is holding his breath:

Whether a violation of the breathing process is a pathology or a natural process can be determined through regular monitoring of the child and a full examination by a pediatrician and pulmonologist.

Manifestations

Symptoms are predominantly determined by the underlying disease. The most common cold is:

• the baby breathes frequently, often through his mouth;
• nasal breathing is difficult due to swelling of the mucous membrane or the presence of snot;
• temperature rises;
• sweating or chills are noted;
• against the background of fever, the heart rate increases;
• coughing, sniffling, grunting during sleep are observed;
• the cough reflex can be caused not only by tracheitis, bronchitis or laryngitis, but also by the flow of mucus from the nasopharynx;
• there is a deterioration in general health (drowsiness, lethargy, irritability).

Often a pattern is revealed between the patient’s age and the manifestations of pathology. The smaller the child, the more pronounced the intoxication syndrome with the accompanying increase in pulse and respiration.

Frequent and difficult breathing

Difficulty inhaling and/or exhaling can be combined with tachypnea and is called shortness of breath. This symptom accompanies many bronchopulmonary and heart diseases.

Reasons for violations:

1. Swelling of the larynx due to infections (true and false croup), retropharyngeal abscess or foreign body in the upper respiratory tract. The patient cannot take a calm breath. Against the background of rapid breathing, retraction of pliable places in the chest area is noted. The wings of the nose swell. The skin turns pale. The unnatural color of the nasolabial triangle attracts attention. Everything fits into the picture of inspiratory dyspnea.
2. Bronchial asthma, obstructive bronchitis, bronchiolitis. It is difficult to exhale. The chest is “bloated”, respiratory movements are small or almost invisible. The patient does not have enough air. A forced position is taken, sitting or half-sitting, supported by hands. Depending on the severity, manifestations vary from minimal to severe (the child is suffocating). The color of the skin changes (pale, pale cyanotic). Dyspnea is classified as expiratory.
3. Pneumonia, simple bronchitis, pleurisy. Heart failure. Combines different signs. Manifested by mixed shortness of breath.

For young children, the difficulty lies in the child’s inability to assess his condition and complain. An attentive attitude allows you to promptly suspect deterioration and begin providing assistance.

The appearance of rapid breathing should be considered as a whole picture. If the child is in good health, active, and there are no abnormalities in other organs, there is no reason to worry. The occurrence of irritability, poor sleep, deterioration in cognitive and educational activities become a reason for in-depth attention. A change in the color of the skin and mucous membranes along with an increase in breathing rate will become suspicious. Acquiring a bluish tint with shortness of breath indicates heart or lung disease.

Tachypnea in case of colds goes away together with the normalization of temperature. Therefore, during acute respiratory viral infections, the use of ibuprofen or paracetamol along with plenty of fluids improves the condition and normalizes the patient’s vital signs. In a state of psycho-emotional arousal, it is important to switch the child’s attention, give him tea or give him something to suck or chew.

Many parents worry that their newborn breathes frequently in his sleep. It is very important to control this process, because while sleeping, a child may take an uncomfortable position or accidentally cover himself with a sheet, thereby blocking access to oxygen. Many parents are concerned about their newborn baby's rapid breathing during sleep. What is this, what are the reasons for this condition?

Child's breathing rate during sleep

It is important to find out the child’s breathing rate - this is the first thing that will help determine the state of his health. First of all, you need to start by determining the number of inhalations and exhalations of the child per minute. This will help make an initial analysis of the child’s condition, because if he breathes more often than normal during sleep, this may indicate pathology.

Moms need to know that their baby's rapid breathing is normal. It will always seem like the children can’t breathe. There is no need to panic, but it is important to remember that intermittent breathing is normal for a newborn baby. This process stabilizes by the second month after birth and completely returns to normal by one year. All this is due to the fact that the child has learned to breathe only through his nose, while his nasal passages are not yet fully formed.

To count the number of inhalations and exhalations of a child, just put your hand on his chest. And as soon as a minute has passed, check the data obtained with generally accepted medical standards:

• in the first 12 months – 50-60 breaths/min.;
• 1-2 years old – 30 breaths/min.;
• 3-5 years – 25 breaths/min.

If the baby's breathing is normal, then parents have nothing to worry about. Every month this process normalizes on its own. But if the deviations are still significant, you should immediately consult a pediatrician.

Methods for calculating the breathing rate of a child

The respiratory rate in children (the norm by age has significant differences) is checked by pediatricians during monthly examinations and compared with indicators for the child’s age. Parents can count the number of inhalations and exhalations themselves. When determining indicators, you need to take into account the child’s age, weight category, general health condition and time of day.

Sequence of performing the procedure at home:

1. Determine the child's breathing type. Up to 4 years of age, children predominate in belly breathing, that is, when inhaling and exhaling, the peritoneum (abdomen) rises and falls. From 4 to 10 years, predominantly chest breathing is observed. The rise and fall of the chest is visually noted. After 10 years, abdominal breathing predominates in males, and chest breathing in females.
2. After determining the type of breathing, you need to prepare a watch with a second hand and bring the child into a calm state. Playing games, watching cartoons, or being scared about the upcoming procedure will not allow you to obtain accurate data. In infants, it is recommended to take measurements during sleep. The indicator will be slightly lower than during the waking period.
3. A comfortable position for correctly counting inhalations and exhalations is a lying position. Children from 1 to 5 years old can be calmed with a rattle or calm conversation. In this case, the participation of 2 parents will be required.
4. The number of breathing movements can be assessed visually or by placing your hand on your stomach or ribs.
5. The most accurate indicators are those measured in 1 minute. If the child is fidgety, then it is allowed to make calculations for 15 or 30 seconds. Multiply the resulting number by 4 or 2. But the data will have an error.
6. To increase the measurement accuracy, the procedure must be performed 3-4 times. The resulting arithmetic mean will give the exact number that needs to be compared with the age norm.

At the same time, it is recommended to measure the number of heartbeats. If there is a deviation in the indicators, the child should be shown to a pediatrician. The specialist will re-measure the indicator, taking into account accompanying factors (excess weight, presence of a runny nose).

What are the causes of rapid breathing?

Now you need to find out why a newborn baby breathes often in his sleep. When a child has heavy breathing with whistling and hoarseness while sleeping, there is no need to put off going to the doctor. This may be caused by bronchitis or pneumonia. An open mouth can mean your nasal passages are clogged. This is perhaps the most common reason. As soon as the baby wakes up, you need to clean his nose and then lubricate it with cream or Vaseline. If this procedure does not help and the child still has difficulty breathing, you should consult an otolaryngologist. If the baby sleeps with his mouth open, then body temperature should be measured: it may be elevated. And if severe swelling is noticeable, this may be a signal of cardiac pathology.

In addition, the newborn may experience changes in the rate of breathing during sleep. In this case, there is no need to worry. This occurs due to the child’s excessive reflex activity during sleep.

It has been confirmed that many diseases in a child usually develop before the age of one, so it is worth paying close attention to the process of his breathing. This, first of all, will help prevent possible pathologies and allow the body to develop without any complications.