Is my baby having trouble breathing?

Is my baby having trouble breathing?

Tiny Hearts Education

When bub is breathing normally, it should appear effortless. When in respiratory distress, their little bodies will do certain things to compensate for low oxygen.

As parents, you must understand what to look and listen for. These signs can tell us how hard our bub is working to move air in and out.

I suggest you take a 30-second video of your baby when breathing normally, this way you can compare and quickly identify what is and isn't normal if worried.

 


If you are worried about babies breathing, assess the following:
👉🏼 Skin colour: is their skin the colour it usually is? Or is it paler or have bluish-purple hue?

👉🏼 Conscious state: are they lethargic, confused, dazed or do they stare right through you like the lights are on, but no one is home?

👉🏼 Breathing: are they breathing faster, slower or irregularly?

👉🏼 Body position: have they positioned themselves with their head back, nose up in the air (sniffing position) or are they sitting bent over trying to get as much air in as possible?

👉🏼 Sounds: is their breathing noisy? Can you hear any unusual sounds like wheezing, crackles, stridor; a high-pitched inspiratory noise?

👉🏼 Physical signs: are their nostrils flaring out with each breath? Is there head bobbing up and down as they breathe? Are they sucking in around collarbone, at base of the throat, under ribs? Can you tell they are using extra muscles and effort to help get air in and out?

 



All of these are signs of reparatory distress in children. These signs might be mild, moderate or severe. No matter what the classification, you should always see a doctor. The more signs that your child has and the bigger effort to breath, the greater respiratory distress they are in. If in doubt, call an ambulance.

To help you classify how severe your child's respiratory distress is, I've created a FREE flowchart download. Feel free to share with someone you love, print and stick on your fridge or save to your phone, just make sure this resource is easily accessed.

Click here to download now!

Love Nikki x 

P.S Leave me a comment below: what do you guys want to see a blog post on next? I can create more helpful downloads for you all to keep in the home - just let me know ❤️

 

While Tiny Hearts tries to ensure that the content of this blog is accurate, adequate or complete, it does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy or completeness. Tiny Hearts  is not responsible for any loss suffered as a result of or in relation to the use of its blog content... read more

While Tiny Hearts tries to ensure that the content of this blog is accurate, adequate or complete, it does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy or completeness. Tiny Hearts  is not responsible for any loss suffered as a result of or in relation to the use of its blog content.

To the extent permitted by law, Tiny Hearts excludes any liability, including any liability for negligence, for any loss, including indirect or consequential damages arising from or in relation to the use of this blog content.

This blog  may include material from third party authors or suppliers. Tiny Hearts is not responsible for examining or evaluating the content or accuracy of the third-party material and it does not warrant and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will not have any liability or responsibility for any third-party material. This blog was written for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Nothing contained in this blog should be construed as medical advice or diagnosis.The content on our blog should not be interpreted as a substitute for physician consultation, evaluation, or treatment. Do not disregard the advice of a medical professional or delay seeking attention based on the content of this blog.  If you believe someone needs medical assistance, do not delay seeking it. In case of emergency, contact your doctor, visit the nearest emergency department, or call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

The author of this information has made a considerable effort to ensure the information is in-line with current guidelines, codes and accepted clinical evidence at time of writing, is up-to-date at time of publication and relevant to Australian readers. read less

Wave Wave