Why is My Baby Breathing Fast While Sleeping? Here’s What You Need to Know

Why is my baby breathing fast while sleeping?

It’s common to feel concerned as a parent when you see something unusual in your baby’s behavior. Sometimes, your infants breathe too fast, and then they go back to normal breathing pace. Is it normal?

Some infants would entirely stop breathing for a few seconds. Why do all these sudden changes in the baby’s breathing pattern happen? It’s normal if your baby breathes too fast for a few seconds and returns to normal.  However, if it’s continuous and comes with other concerning symptoms, there might be something worth worrying about.

In this article we have discussed the breathing rates of a baby. We have also discussed why your baby might be breathing too fast.

Why is My Baby Breathing Fast While Sleeping?

If you see that your baby is breathing too fast or breathing slowly or irregularly, then the reason is their respiratory system. Newborn babies don’t have a mature breathing system, which can cause irregular breathing patterns, making them breathe often fast or slow.

As they continue to develop their respiratory system, babies breathe faster or slower to maintain a healthy oxygen level in their bodies.

However, it’s important to note that your baby’s body should not have any changes throughout this process or in colors. It’s normal for babies to have an irregular breathing pattern as long as they don’t have any respiratory issues.

Understanding Normal Breathing for Babies

Why is my baby breathing fast while sleeping? If you are also wondering whether your baby is breathing too fast or not, then you should first know what normal breathing for babies is like.

Usually, babies breathe faster than adults. Typically, your baby should be breathing 40 to 60 times per minute. But when they are asleep, this speed slows down, and your little one breathes around 30 to 40 times per minute. But in some cases, your baby might breathe fast and take around 10 seconds to stop and process. This is called periodic breathing.

If your child is breathing normally, they are using the large muscle under their lung called the diaphragm.  Changes in the breathing pattern and rate can signify a change in their normal breathing.

Also, if they are using other parts of their body and their muscles to breathe, it can also suggest significant changes in their respiratory systems. Respiratory distress is also characterized by changes in their color.

When your baby isn’t showing any of these distresses, they might be having a sound and good sleep.

However, normal breathing can have different levels of pace in different stages of the infant’s life. Perhaps the following chart should help –

Up to 6 Months	Breaths 30 – 60 Breaths per Minute
6 to 12 months	24 – 30 breaths per minute.
1 to 5 Years	20 – 30 Breaths per minute.
6 to 12 years	12 to 20 Breaths per minute

When To Be Concerned About Fast Breathing

Now you know what rapid breathing feels and looks like. But when does it become difficult? Which signs to look for to spot consistent breathing? Here are some signs suggesting the troublesome breathing patterns that you have to be concerned about.

Here are some concerning signs of rapid breathing:

Rapid Irregular Breathing

Rapid breathing is possible when your baby is crying or is overheated. At this time, they will breathe around 60 times per minute. But when your baby has calmed down and is no longer crying, their breathing pattern has to go back to normal.

Flaring Nostrils

Continuously rapid breathing is often a cause of concern. On the other hand, if the baby is breathing slowly or stops for more than 20 seconds, then it can be a cause of concern as well. This condition is called apnea.

Retracting

The next sign of trouble in the air is retracting. This is when the baby is pulling their chest at the ribs and below the breathstone or their collarbone.

Grunting

A baby may struggle to take a breath in. This is something that happens to the baby when they are trying to keep the air inside their lungs to boost the level of oxygen. They make sounds or moan during such a type of breathing during sleep, which is also called grunting.

Blue Color

When babies have respiratory problems, they come across something called Cyanosis. It’s a symptom that changes the baby’s color when they are not getting enough oxygen through inhaling. This is something that affects babies with a heart defect or when they have significant levels of respiratory issues.

Coughing

If your baby is drinking breast milk too fast, it can cause them to choke or have trouble breathing. Often, they may breathe too fast after coughing too hard. If your baby is breathing too fast due to coughing or any other respiratory issues, it’s best to check with the healthcare provider for answers.

Why is My 11-Month-Old Baby Breathing Fast While Sleeping

Breathing fast also happens during REM sleep cycles. During REM sleep, your baby’s breathing pattern can take around 5 to 10 seconds of pause.

Your baby can take 10 to 15 seconds of rapid breathing during this time before returning to a normal level of breathing. This phenomenon is known as periodic breathing and is common and normal among newborns.

When to Seek Medical Attention

We have talked about the most common breathing concerns your little one may face. There’s no need to worry when their breathing pattern is normal. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms in your baby’s breathing pattern when they are asleep, you should get help from a healthcare provider.

• The baby is breathing too fast and persistently.
• Reduce your baby’s feeding.
• Check if you see that the baby’s rib muscles are getting sucked in. The same symptoms should also be visible on their throat, neck, etc.
•  Is the baby making a high-pitched sound when breathing in or breathing out?
• When the baby isn’t breathing for more than 10 seconds.
• When you see the baby changing his body’s color to blue.

If you see any of these signs getting stronger with your baby, trust your instinct and take them to the pediatrician.

What To Do At Home as Parents?

Your baby might be breathing fast due to coughing (a natural reflux to keep the airways clean). However, if you feel there’s something concerning, monitor your baby for some time (a few hours). This way, you’ll be able to tell if they have a normal cold or something worrisome.

The best course of action is to communicate the symptoms with a healthcare provider. You can arrange a video call also (if it’s difficult to take them to the doctor). But do take them to the healthcare provider if it feels like a medical emergency.

But when a doctor advises home care, here are things you can do at home for your baby –

• Keep them hydrated
• Clear mucus using the saline drop technique.
• Prepare a warm bath for your baby. If possible, turn on the warm shower in the bathroom.
• Play calming songs.
• Rock the baby in their favorite position.
• Make sure that your baby has enough sleep.

When your newborn baby’s symptoms don’t improve, make sure to contact a doctor. It’s best not to use vapor rub if the baby is younger than 2 years. Also, maintain a good sleeping position for your baby when putting them to rest.

To Conclude

Babies breathe differently compared to children and adults.  Their breathing pattern may seem scary or unusual sometimes. If you are wondering, ‘why is my breathing fast while sleeping?’ then the reasons can be one of the reasons explained here.

If it’s something normal, then there’s no need to worry. But, if you see any of the concerning symptoms described above, consider contacting your doctor immediately. Thank you for reading.

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