Being a new parent can be scary when bringing home a fragile newborn. Breathing patterns of newborns are new and unfamiliar to parents. Babies breathe much differently from adults. Faster breathing and unusual noises can be frightening. Understanding what is normal for baby can reassure new parents and alert them to potential breathing problems.
Lung Development
The main part of babies' lungs begin to form as early as one month into pregnancy. At about four months, smaller, more intricate structures called alveoli are formed. Six months into pregnancy special cells start to produce chemicals called surfactants, which help to further develop the lungs. According to "Pathophysiology: A Basis for Disease in Adults and Children," babies born after 30 week have lungs mature enough to be capable of functioning when the babies are born.
During Birth
The natural process of birth pushes fluids out of the baby's lungs. Breathing usually occurs within one minute of birth. Shortly after birth the body attempts to absorb the fluid remaining in the baby's lungs. It is normal for babies stop breathing for short periods of time---usually less than 15 seconds. This is commonly referred to as apnea. "Maternal and Child Nursing Care" states that newborns are most likely to experience apnea during REM sleep. Babies will still have small amounts of fluids in their airways, so they may sound congested at times. This stuffiness is normal and not normally a sign of distress.
Breathing Rate
Normal breathing rates for newborns to infants one year in age are between 30 and 60 breaths per minute. This wide range is due to the irregularity of breathing at this age and accounts for normal periods of apnea. Infants generally breath faster while awake and more slowly at rest. Babies normally use their abdominal muscles to breath, which makes their breathing seem exaggerated.
Toddler Breathing
As a child ages his breathing becomes more regular. At age one, breaths per minute slow from 30 to 60 to between 25 and 30 breaths per minute. After age two, breathing rates continue to slow as a child ages into adulthood. Lungs continue to mature until approximately age eight.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is normally caused by a lack of surfactant in an infant's lungs. Causes for this include premature birth and low birth weight. The University of California San Fransisco states that 40,000 babies are born with RDS every year. Symptoms include flaring of the nostrils, skin color changes, grunting and a breathing rate higher than 60 breaths per minute. Medications, oxygen and ventilation may be needed to treat RDS.
References
- "Maternal Child Nursing Care"; The Main Part of Babies' Lungs Begin to Form; D. Wong, S. Perry and M. Hockenberry; 2002
- "Pathophysiology: The Biological Basis for Disease in Adults and Children"; K. McCance and S. Huether; 2002
- UCSF Childrens' Hospital: Respiratory Distress Syndrome
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