Newborn breathing rapidly while sleeping can definitely make your heart skip a beat. Babies breathe in random, uneven ways that can look scary but are usually totally normal as their tiny lungs get the hang of things. If you’ve caught yourself staring at your baby, feeling worried and wondering what’s normal and what’s not, you’re not alone. Every parent has been there. Let’s break down why it happens, what’s normal, and what might signal an underlying breathing issue.
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Do Newborns Breathe Faster?
Yes, newborns breathe faster than older children and adults. It’s also normal for them to have irregular breathing, sometimes pausing for a few seconds or suddenly breathing rapidly, which can appear quite fast to parents. This periodic breathing can happen even in term babies. It usually peaks between two and four weeks and can last until babies are six months old.2
Why Does My Newborn Breathing Rapidly While Sleeping? (5 Reasons)
A newborn’s fast breathing is a sign of their developing respiratory and nervous systems learning to breathe independently. Some irregularity is normal in healthy infants.
“I remember checking on my own baby every few minutes, just to watch his chest rise and fall, especially during naps. Some nights I barely slept; I was so focused on making sure his breathing sounded right. It is completely normal to worry this much. If you’re ever unsure, trust your instincts and call your doctor right away.”
Cristina Bernardo, Executive and Parent Coach
Normal reasons for rapid breathing:
Learning To Breathe
Breathing is a complex relationship between our lungs, respiratory muscles, and brain. Our lungs are designed to breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
Early in development, babies maintain a different and more variable carbon dioxide level than adults. Therefore, just slight changes in their breathing can cause carbon dioxide levels to drop, leading to pauses in breathing.
The pause in periodic breathing usually lasts five to 10 seconds. Newborns with periodic breathing may repeat this cycle three or more times in a row.
While most rapid or irregular breathing is normal as newborns adjust, persistent or severe changes in breathing could signal a breathing problem and should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
During this stage:
- Breathing naturally becomes irregular and faster.
- Rapid breathing is often interspersed with brief pauses (periodic breathing), which is a normal part of development and is not typically a cause for concern as long as the baby’s skin color remains normal and the pauses are less than 10 seconds. 3
Periodic breathing is different from apnea, which can affect oxygen levels. Newborns should not pause breathing for more than ten seconds, even while at rest.
Residual fluid
Sometimes, residual fluid in the lungs after birth can contribute to rapid breathing. Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) is a temporary condition occurring more often in C-section deliveries, caused by fluid in the lungs and typically resolves within 24-72 hours. Babies are monitored in the hospital until after TTN resolves.4
To help diagnose TTN or other causes of rapid breathing, doctors may use a chest X-ray to assess the baby’s lung health.
Nasal congestion
Babies are obligate nose breathers and cannot clear their throats or breathe through their mouths easily. Saliva or mucus can pool in their throat, creating noisy breathing. Congestion can partially block the baby’s airways, sometimes leading to noisy or heavy breathing. A mild cold is a common cause of congestion in newborns.
If your baby’s nasal congestion causes ongoing breathing difficulties, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.
Feeling hot
Newborns are less efficient at regulating their body temperature. If a baby is hot, they may breathe faster to cool down. Parents may also notice heavy breathing if the baby is overheated.
How Many Breaths Per Minute Is Normal For A Newborn?
A normal breathing rate for a newborn baby when awake and active is typically between 40 and 60 breaths per minute, slowing to 30 to 40 breaths per minute while sleeping.
How Do I Count My Baby’s Breathing Rate?
To accurately count your baby’s breaths, you must count for one full minute (60 seconds) while the baby is calm, resting, or sleeping peacefully. Because infants have irregular breathing patterns, often pausing for a few seconds and then breathing faster, short counts like 15 or 30 seconds can lead to an inaccurate measurement.
How to Measure the Respiratory Rate
- Choose a calm moment: Wait until your baby is resting or asleep. Avoid counting right after they have been crying, feeding, or moving actively.
- Expose the chest or belly: Lift your baby’s shirt slightly so you can clearly see the movement of their chest and abdomen.
- Set a timer: Prepare a clock or stopwatch where you can easily keep your eyes on both the timer and your baby.
- Count the rises: One full rise (inhalation) and fall (exhalation) of the chest or belly counts as one single breath. Count every rise you see for a full 60 seconds.
What Are Normal Newborn Breathing Patterns?
Newborn breathing patterns are naturally irregular and can differ widely from one baby to another. Newborns breathe more quickly than adults, usually taking 30 to 60 breaths per minute. Because their respiratory control centers located in the brainstem are still immature, their breathing may be uneven at times, but this is usually nothing to worry about. 5
Normal newborn breathing patterns:
- Baseline Rate: When a newborn is calm and awake, they usually take 40 to 60 breaths per minute. During deep sleep, their breathing slows to about 30 to 40 breaths per minute. Sometimes, it can drop as low as 20 breaths per minute or go higher during lighter sleep.
- Periodic Breathing (Variable Rhythm or Erratic Breathing): Your baby may breathe quickly for a short time, pause for 5 to 10 seconds (periodic pauses), and then start breathing fast again. This happens because their immature brain is learning to regulate carbon dioxide levels, causing them to alternate between over-breathing and pausing. It is an entirely harmless condition, and most babies outgrow this by six months.6
- REM (Active) Sleep: Newborns spend half their sleep in active REM sleep. During REM sleep, a baby’s breathing often becomes irregular and faster. You might see twitches, eye rolling, or quick, shallow gasps.
- Belly Movement: Gentle diaphragmatic movement means their stomach moves more than their chest.
Periodic breathing is very common, occurring in up to 80% of full-term babies and nearly all premature infants.
Periodic Breathing vs. Rapid Breathing In Babies
The table below shows the differences between periodic breathing and true rapid breathing, making it easier for you to recognize which one you are observing.
| Feature | Periodic Breathing (Normal) | Rapid Breathing / Tachypnea (Potential Concern) |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Cyclic: Alternating phases of fast breathing, slow breathing, and brief pauses. | Constant: Consistently fast, shallow, or labored breathing without slowing down. |
| Breathing Pauses | Yes: Normal pauses last 5 to 10 seconds, followed by a burst of faster catch-up breaths. | No: Continuous rapid breathing, or dangerous pauses (apnea) lasting longer than 20 seconds. |
| Overall Rate | Normal average: Spikes temporarily during the cycle but averages out to less than 60 breaths per minute. | High: Consistently greater than 60 breaths per minute when the baby is calm and at rest. |
| When It Occurs | Most common while the baby is sleeping. | Occurs while awake or asleep, persisting long after crying or overheating resolves. |
| Baby’s Appearance | The baby looks comfortable, relaxed, and thrives; skin color stays normal. | The baby looks distressed or shows signs of working hard to get oxygen. |
Is Belly Breathing Normal In Newborns?
Yes, belly breathing is normal and common in newborns because they rely more on their diaphragm as their respiratory system develops. This is known as diaphragmatic breathing, where the belly moves with each breath. 7
Is It Normal For Newborns to Breathe Heavy?
Heavy breathing (Labored Breathing) refers to the physical effort your baby is putting into each breath. It means they are physically straining to move air into their lungs.
This is a compensatory mechanism. If a baby’s lungs are congested, sticky, or working against an illness, their small chest muscles have to work overtime to keep their oxygen levels up. True heavy/labored breathing is never normal and always requires immediate medical evaluation.
You will see the physical signs of muscle strain. This includes retractions (skin tightly sucking in under the ribs, between the ribs, or at the base of the neck), nasal flaring (nostrils widening with every breath), head bobbing as they use neck muscles to pull in air, or seesaw breathing, where the chest sinks in while the belly rises instead of moving together.
It is often noisy. You might hear rhythmic grunting or moaning every time they exhale (as their body tries to trap air in the lungs), or high-pitched wheezing and whistling.
Home Remedies For Fast Breathing In Babies
Keeping track of your baby’s breathing patterns and using the following methods can help reduce fast breathing:
- Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
- Spending time in a steamy bathroom to help loosen mucus and soothe the airways.
- Keeping the baby well-hydrated with breast milk or formula.
- Using saline drops to relieve nasal congestion.
If your baby’s breathing does not improve with these home remedies, consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.
When Should I Worry About Newborn Fast Breathing?
Rapid breathing can sometimes indicate underlying breathing issues. Always remain vigilant for signs that your newborn is having trouble breathing.
Look for the following signs of respiratory distress in your child:
- Rapid Breathing (Tachypnea): A persistently increased breathing rate, often more than 60 breaths per minute.
- Chest Retractions: Visible pulling in of the skin around the ribs, breastbone, or neck with each breath as the baby uses extra muscles to breathe.
- Nasal Flaring: Widening of the nostrils during inhalation to increase airflow.
- Grunting: A low-pitched sound during exhalation as the body tries to keep air in the lungs to improve oxygen exchange.
- Respiratory distress syndrome occurs when a newborn’s lungs do not produce enough surfactant, a substance that helps keep the lungs open and functioning properly. Signs of respiratory distress include fast, shallow breathing, grunting while breathing, flaring nostrils, and skin or lips turning bluish. This occurs immediately after birth and should be monitored in the hospital.
- Infections, like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, can lead to breathing difficulties in newborns, which may require urgent medical attention.
- A heart condition in newborns may manifest as fast breathing due to inefficient oxygen circulation.
Additional signs to watch for include:
- Bluish Skin or Lips (Cyanosis): Indicates low oxygen levels and requires immediate medical attention. Take your baby to the emergency room if their skin color changes to blue or gray. For babies with darker skin tones, it is often easier to notice these changes around the gums, lips, and nail beds instead of on other areas of the skin. This is different than acrocyanosis, in which a baby’s feet or hands might temporarily turn purple or blue due to cold temperatures.
- Lethargy, Poor Feeding, or Irritability: Changes in behavior or feeding may signal the baby is unwell or not getting enough oxygen.
- Prolonged Pauses in Breathing (Apnea): Pauses lasting more than 10 seconds combined with other symptoms are concerning. 8
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help immediately.
Premature newborns are more likely to experience respiratory issues due to underdeveloped lungs and immature respiratory systems.
Worried about your newborn’s fast breathing? Text Avocado Health for 24/7 personalized, expert parent coaching whenever you need it, in the moment, and in your own words.
Conclusion
If you’re worried about your baby’s breathing, please know you are not alone. With each of our five children, we were constantly worried about whether everything was okay, especially during naps and at night. We hope this guide helps you tell the difference between what’s normal and when something might be an emergency. Trust your gut, and call your pediatrician right away if you’re ever concerned. As parents who have been through this many times ourselves, we know your peace of mind and your baby’s well-being matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do newborns breathe through mouth?
Newborns breathe exclusively through their noses until they are about 3 to 4 months old, except when crying. After this age, they develop the reflex to breathe through their mouths, which can happen temporarily due to a stuffy nose from a cold or allergies, or as a result of more complex airway blockages.
Why is my newborn breathing with mouth open?
A newborn may breathe with their mouth open due to nasal congestion, which is the most common cause. Other reasons include enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or structural issues like a deviated septum.1
How to tell if baby is breathing ok in car seat?
To ensure a baby is breathing ok in a car seat, regularly check their position to make sure their chin is not on their chest, as this can obstruct their airway.
Also, monitor for signs like a bluish color, gasping, or grunting, and check for proper harness tightness using the pinch test.
For high-risk infants, a hospital may perform a car seat test that monitors heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter prior to discharge.
Why does my newborn breathe fast after feeding?
Newborns often breathe quickly after feeding because eating takes a lot of effort for them, and their lungs are still growing. Their breathing might speed up for a short time because they have to coordinate sucking and swallowing, or because a full stomach can press against their diaphragm.
Is it normal for my baby’s eyes to roll while breathing fast during sleep?
Yes, occasional eye rolling and eye movements like fluttering are typically normal during a newborn’s active or REM sleep phase. Your baby’s immature nervous system can cause these movements as they transition into or out of sleep. However, if the eye rolling happens often or comes with stiffening, shaking, or unusual breathing changes, it could signal a seizure and needs prompt medical evaluation.
Sources:
- Airway Problems in Neonates—A Review of the Current Investigation and Management Strategies
- Normal ranges of heart rate and respiratory rate in children from birth to 18 years: a systematic review of observational studies
- Sleep Studies for Clinical Indications during the First Year of Life: Infants Are Not Small Children
- Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn
- Immature control of breathing and apnea of prematurity: the known and unknown
- Apnea and periodic breathing in normal full-term infants during the first twelve months.
- Physiology masterclass: Extremes of age: newborn and infancy
- Infant Apnea