Why Does my Newborn Breathe Fast?

You need to know that newborns have immature respiratory systems, which is one of the major reasons they breathe rapidly at times. On the other hand, underlying respiratory issues can sometimes cause rapid breathing in newborns. Thus, it is advisable to consult the best baby doctor in Siliguri or a location of your choice if you observe unusually fast breathing in your newborn.

In this blog, you will learn why your newborn breathes fast so that you can be aware of the warning signs that indicate requirement of immediate attention from a renowned paediatrician.  In addition, you will learn what remedies can be taken to ensure optimal respiratory health for your newborn.

Know Why Your Newborn Breathes Fast?

Here are the most common reasons why your newborn is breathing fast or rapidly:

• Immature lungs or respiratory system: When the lungs are in the development stage, they require frequent or rapid breathing so that oxygen exchange can be done efficiently. This is a common and normal phenomenon because newborns have a smaller lung capacity, which leads them to breathe more frequently.
• REM sleep cycle: Newborns spend the majority of their sleep cycle in active (REM) sleep. According to clinical research and studies, the brain remains highly active during REM sleep, which can potentially cause breathing to be fast or rapid. Thus, this is another common phenomenon behind newborns breathing rapidly.
• High rate of metabolism: Since a baby's body and immune system are in a constant state of growth, a higher amount of oxygen is required. It has been observed that rapid post-natal growth requires significant oxygen consumption. Thus, you might observe rapid breathing during the years of growth, especially among newborns.
• Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN): This condition leads to babies breathing fast because of fluid accumulation in the lungs. TTN generally occurs among cesarean babies shortly after birth, which usually resolves within 72 hours. Therefore, you need to be aware of TTN so that you can keep track of the timeline of faster breathing in your newborn.
• Respiratory infections: This is a serious condition where a newborn might breathe faster due to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. In addition, you need to watch out for other related symptoms, such as flaring nostrils or lips turning blue, which require immediate medical attention.
• Periodic breathing: This is generally harmless and is common among newborns. Periodic breathing refers to a situation where a baby takes a few deep breaths and then pauses for a few seconds. It is normal for babies till they turn 6 months old. Thus, you need to keep a proper track of periodic breathing frequency and timeline.

Remedies to Ensure Optimal Respiratory Health in Your Newborn

These are some of the most effective remedies that you can take to ensure optimal respiratory health in your newborn:

• Ensure smoke-free air: This is one of the top-most priorities that you need to ensure, which is based on keeping your home, car, and environment free from cigarette smoke. This is because cigarette smoke can cause severe respiratory issues in newborns. Overall, the key is to play a responsible role in terms of protecting your newborn from cigarette smoke.
• Practice frequent and proper hygiene: This is based on washing your hands properly and regularly after meeting visitors or returning home. It is a well-known fact that viruses causing respiratory issues can be transmitted from one person to another. Therefore, you need to keep your newborn safe from virus transmission, which starts with practising proper and frequent hygiene.
• Keep nasal passages clear: You can use saline nasal drops and a bulb syringe to clear the nasal passages by removing mucus. It has been observed that mucus in the nose can cause nasal congestion, and when it comes to thick mucus, breathing difficulty can occur. Therefore, you need to prioritise keeping the nasal passages clear.
• Ensure adequate breastfeeding: According to clinical research and studies, breast milk provides newborns with antibodies that help boost the immune system. It is a well-known fact that the immune system plays a vital role in terms of fighting infections, including respiratory infections. Thus, you need to promote breastfeeding for your newborn to ensure optimal respiratory health.
• Maintain a healthy indoor air quality: Babies or newborns spend most of their time indoors. However, the aspect of indoor air quality often gets overlooked, which in turn can hamper respiratory health. Thus, the best approach is to keep your home clean, dust-free, and avoid using scented candles, harsh room fresheners and cleaning sprays.
• Avoid exposure to sick individuals: This is another crucial step that involves keeping your newborn away from individuals suffering from a cold, cough, and flu. This is crucial because the immune system of a baby is weaker due to it being in the developmental stage.
• Ensure timely vaccinations: Timely and proper immunisations play a vital role in terms of ensuring that immunity develops against respiratory infections. The main role of vaccines is to stimulate the immune system to recognise pathogens, along with creating protective antibodies.
• Take your newborn for regular paediatric checkups: Regular paediatric checkups can help ensure that any potential respiratory issues are identified in the early stages. Clinical research and studies show that early diagnosis of respiratory illnesses can help deliver better treatment.

Final Thoughts

Worrying about your newborn’s health and needs is natural and obvious. In the context of faster breathing among newborns, the concern is even more prominent due to the involvement of the respiratory system. However, the key is to understand that some common and safe reasons make your newborn breathe faster.

On the other hand, you must also be aware of the timeline and dangerous signs that are associated with faster breathing in newborns, so that there is no compromise with the safety and health of your baby. It is highly advisable to consult a top paediatrician, such as Dr Brahma Dev Singh, if you see an abnormality in your newborn’s breathing patterns. This is because such specialists have tremendous experience in treating asthma and respiratory problems in children.

You can address the worries about your newborn’s fast breathing by consulting the best baby doctor in Siliguri or a location of your convenience.