What are the basics of baby breathing-

• Babies breathe faster when compared to adults. A newborn baby may breathe 3 times faster than an adult.
• This fast breathing slowly reduces to adult levels as the child grows.
• Healthy babies in spite of this fast breathing, are comfortable, smiling, looking around and responding normally.

How fast do babies breathe?

• A newborn baby may breathe up to 60 times a minute.
• You can count the breathing by observing the chest movements when the child is undressed.
• Any breathing rate beyond 60 times per minute, should be seen by a doctor.

Remember-

• Agitated babies breathe fast.
• Consider counting the rate by observing the chest or tummy movements for 3 minutes when the child is calm or asleep and divide the total by 3.

How do I know my baby is breathing normally?

• The breathing in a healthy baby is smooth and not laboured (that means there is no in drawing of tummy muscles or chest muscles)
• The baby should not make any abnormal sounds during breathing
• There should be no change in colour of baby. Baby should be pink and warm always.

Remember-Some episodes of sneezing/ coughing(occasional) can be normal for the baby.  The child needs to be seen if cough/sneeze is not settling.

What are the Danger signs to look out for?

Always see a doctor if your baby has any of these features

• Baby is drowsy or inactive.
• If there is a change in colour of baby  
• If there is an increased breathing effort or severe breathing distress.
• If the baby is unable to feed.
• If the baby has excess crying a or continuous cough.