This noisy breathing shouldn’t necessarily cause concern. However, pay attention to signs of respiratory distress. Contact your baby’s doctor right away if you notice any warning signs.
Turns blue all over or in areas that typically get a lot of blood flow like the lips, tongue, and the vagina. Even though bluing of the hands and feet can be fairly common due to an infant’s immature circulatory system, if other areas are turning blue, it’s time to get immediate attention.Has a significantly increased breathing rate, which is more than 60 breaths per minuteStruggles to breathe, which can be spotted by the nostrils persistently flaring and the chest retracting unusuallyIs feeding poorly or has no interest in eatingIs lethargic or excessively sleepy
Breathing entirely through the nose means all air particles that enter the body land there. Because babies’ nasal passages are so very tiny, they are prone to sneeze frequently to clear these substances out. When frequent sneezes are present with other issues like vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, and colic, it could mean that your baby is allergic to the formula you’re feeding them. Discuss this concern with your pediatrician, who may recommend you use a hypoallergenic formula. This periodic breathing pattern is usually perfectly normal and part of typical newborn development. Your baby should grow out of this as they age.
Breathing pauses lasting longer than 10 secondsGrunting while breathingCoughing or wheezing that is persistentBreathing that is deeper and causes the ribs to protrude
However, if you strongly feel that your child needs assistance to breathe clearly, you may consider keeping the nursery free of dust and pet hair, using saline drops, and if absolutely necessary, trying a nasal aspirator. But talk to your pediatrician first. If your baby is displaying additional symptoms along with a stuffy nose, they may indeed be experiencing their first cold and should be seen by your pediatrician. Here are some things to watch for:
FeverCoughingDifficulty sleepingDecreased appetiteIncreased irritability
GER is especially common in premature babies and is usually outgrown as their stomachs stretch and can hold more food. That said, if your baby is showing signs of persistent GER, such as poor weight gain, extreme irritability, and consistent coughing, it’s time to pay a visit to your pediatrician.
