Newborns breathing heavily with their stomachs heaving while sleeping always make parents worried because any sign can be a warning sign of a respiratory illness. So, what is this phenomenon in newborns, and is it dangerous? Let's find out the causes and ways to improve this situation when babies breathe rapidly and heavily during sleep in the following article.
1. Is it concerning if a newborn breathes heavily with a heaving belly while sleeping?
According to experts, it is common for newborns to breathe heavily with a heaving belly while sleeping. Whether this condition is dangerous or not depends on the baby's breathing rate. Parents can identify rapid and heavy breathing by listening to sounds from the nose and throat while the baby is sleeping or during daily activities.
Additionally, parents should observe the chest and count the newborn's breathing rate during sleep to determine if there are any abnormalities. Accordingly, a newborn breathing heavily with a heaving belly during sleep is when:
- Infants under 2 months old: over 60 breaths/minute.
- Infants 2 months - 1 year old: over 50 breaths/minute.
- Children 1-5 years old: over 40 breaths/minute.
If a baby breathes heavily and rapidly during sleep, accompanied by gasping, wheezing, a runny nose, or other abnormal symptoms, it could be a sign of a respiratory illness. In such cases, parents need to monitor the baby's breathing rate during sleep and take the baby to the hospital promptly.
Parents monitor the baby's breathing rate through sounds from the nose and observe the chest.
2. Normal breathing rate for newborns
According to research, a normal newborn's breathing rate ranges from 30 to 60 breaths/minute, and may occasionally drop to about 20 breaths/minute when the baby is in deep sleep. From the sixth month onwards, the baby's breathing rate will become more stable, ranging from 25-40 breaths/minute.
A distinctive feature is that the baby's breathing cycle has a certain pause, usually lasting about 5 seconds. This means that during inhalation and exhalation, the baby will stop for about 5 seconds between breaths, which is considered normal and will gradually disappear as the child grows older.
To ensure that a newborn breathing heavily with a heaving belly during sleep is normal, parents can apply some of the following checking methods:
- Measure the baby's breathing rate: Place your ear next to the baby's nose and mouth, then focus on listening for heavy, wheezing breaths.
- Observe: Place your eye level with the baby's chest and carefully watch the movements of the chest cavity going up and down with each breath as the child inhales.
- Feel: Place your cheek next to the baby's mouth and nose to feel their breath.
If, during these actions, parents detect that a newborn breathing heavily with a heaving belly during sleep is also accompanied by a fever or wheezing, the child may be suffering from a respiratory illness. In such cases, promptly take the child for a timely examination and check-up.
3. Why do newborns breathe heavily with a heaving belly while sleeping?
It's quite common for newborns to breathe rapidly and heavily during sleep, sometimes accompanied by wheezing. According to experts, the main reason for this phenomenon is that the nasal structure of a newborn is still very small and underdeveloped, and the baby's body is not yet accustomed to regulating its breathing rate. Here are some key factors that cause newborns to breathe heavily with a heaving belly while sleeping:
- Immune system is still immature: The immune system and resistance of newborns are not yet fully developed and stable. This makes it easier for harmful agents in the environment to attack the baby's respiratory system, leading to rapid and heavy breathing during sleep.
- Immature respiratory system: Newborns have an immature respiratory system and cannot yet control their breathing rate, which causes them to breathe rapidly and heavily, with a heaving belly, during sleep.
- Weather allergies: Newborns have weak immune systems and are sensitive to environmental factors such as sudden weather changes or allergies to dust, animal dander, etc. These can all be factors that cause newborns to breathe heavily and rapidly.
- Certain medical conditions: If a newborn shows signs of heavy breathing, irregular breathing, gasping, accompanied by bluish skin, they may be suffering from a serious medical condition such as bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. In this case, parents need to quickly take the child to the hospital for timely examination and treatment.
Newborns breathing rapidly and heavily during sleep may be due to an immature and underdeveloped respiratory tract.
4. When should you take your child to the doctor?
If you notice any of the following signs in your child, parents should promptly take them to a doctor for appropriate examination and treatment:
- Breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute while sleeping, without slowing down even when the baby is placed on their side.
- Bluish skin.
- Pauses in breathing between breaths lasting longer than about 10 seconds.
- The baby's chest retracts with each breath.
Because if these symptoms are detected, the child may have a respiratory illness, and timely examination and treatment are necessary.
5. Guide for parents on how to improve rapid and heavy breathing in newborns
When you notice your newborn breathing heavily with their stomach heaving during sleep, you can try the following methods to help your child feel more comfortable:
- Change the baby's sleeping position: Placing the baby on their side helps their respiratory system function more easily and makes breathing easier. At the same time, parents should still monitor the baby's breathing rate; if they are still breathing heavily and rapidly, the child may have a respiratory problem. In this case, take the child to a specialized medical facility for examination.
- Clean the baby's nose: Cleaning the child's nose with physiological saline helps remove mucus and dirt, clearing the airway. This helps the child feel comfortable and stops breathing heavily during sleep. Mothers should clean the child's nose with physiological saline twice a day.
- Give the baby a steam bath: Have the child sit in the bathroom, and run hot water into a basin to let the steam fill the room. Mothers should pay attention to the distance and not use water that is too hot to ensure the child's safety.
- Use appropriate mattress and pillow: Choosing the right size mattress and pillow can partially improve the respiratory condition in infants. At the same time, it helps children sleep better and deeper. Currently at Ru9, Nest mattress is one of the popular products with a 2-layer Foam design to support the body. Combined with Mây pillow, using 3D Microfiber material helps limit flattening and water absorption.
Parents should place their child on their side to help them sleep easily and improve heavy and rapid breathing.
Above is information about the causes of newborns breathing heavily with their stomachs heaving during sleep and tips to help mothers care for their baby's sleep in the best possible way. We hope these tips will be helpful for parents, and with the companionship of Ru9, your family's sleep will be truly complete every night.
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