It is common for new moms to check their baby’s breathing often. However you have to know that checking on your baby often and disturbing her  sleep will leave you both exhausted.  Be rest assured that  Sudden Infant  Death Syndrome  SIDS is very rare and there are  ways to reduce the risk such as letting your baby on her back.

Your newborn’s breathing will be active and noisy, deep and still and grunty and snufffly all in one night. You will get less concerned with experience. You will realize you don’t need to check on the baby as often.

What is considered normal breathing in newborns.

Your  newborn’s breathing is called period breathing.  This is when she breaths in cycles, with breaths getting progressively faster  and deeper as well as slower and shallower. She may even pause her breathing for up to 5 seconds and then start again with deepening breaths.

This is normal and will change to a mature pattern of  breathing with occasional sighs in the first few months of life. There are ways you can reassure yourself that your newborn’s breathing is normal.

Listen : Put your ear next to your baby’s mouth or nose and listen for sounds of breath.

Look : Get your eyes to the level of your baby’s chest by bending down and watch for up and down movement of breathing.

Feel :You can also put your cheek next to the baby’s mouth and nose and feel her  tiny breaths against your skin.

When should i worry about noisy breathing ?

Occasional noisy  breathing is normal and nothing to worry about. During your baby’s first check up, her doctor will check her heart and chest sounds. If you have any concerns about her breathing, this will be a good time to mention it to the doctor.

You should however call your pediatrician if  your  baby has :

• persistent grunting an the end of each breath
• more than 60 breaths per minute
• barking cough or high pitched rasping sound
• flared nostrils which indicate that she is having difficulty breathing
• breathing with  stops for more than 10 seconds
• nose and lips are blue as well as a blue coloration  which is triangular shape on or around the forehead. This is an indication that the baby is not getting enough oxygen