Irregular breathing and sleep apnea in babies

Newborns, especially premature babies, breathe irregularly. In fact, they can combine fast and deep breaths with slower and shallower ones, they can even sigh from time to time. It is what is called periodic breathing and it is due to the immaturity of the respiratory system, so the rate of your breaths will regulate as your respiratory system matures. Although this type of breathing is normal in newborns, you have to be attentive to pauses or.

Periodic breathing

The periodic or cyclical breathing of the newborn appears normally During the dream and consists of episodes in which the breathing it is irregular, pauses and does not follow the usual inspiration-expiration rhythm. This occurs because, during sleep, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing slow down. However, it is a respiratory pattern normal especially in premature infants, no repercussion cardiocirculatory and with spontaneous recovery.

It is very important to know that it is a normal characteristic of the neonate's breathing, which is not important, does not put your health at risk and that will disappear with time. The baby has a good appearance, good color and the episode is normalized without performing any special maneuver.

Apnea and other abnormal breaths

During periodic breathing, the baby performs small pauses in breath calls apneas. They are short-lived, no more than 15 seconds, followed by a series of very fast breaths for another 10 to 15 seconds. In principle, they are normal, but you have to be attentive to their duration. A pause in your breath from more than 20 seconds is pathological and you must react quickly, moving it to stimulate the respiratory center or, if it does not respond, initiate resuscitation maneuvers and call 112.

Other warning signs that you should be concerned about and will justify are detecting cyanosis in the baby, this occurs when the lips, skin and tongue turn bluish in color. The same happens if you detect that he has difficulty breathing, for example, if you hear panting, abnormal rolling or you detect that he has difficulty taking air, the latter is called nasal fin or rib retraction. Finally, if you discover that he is breathing at more than 60 breaths per minute, you should see a doctor in case he could suffer from tachypnea.

4 Curiosities of baby's breath

Babies breathe faster

A baby's respiratory rate is above the 40-60 breaths per minute in basal conditions, so if you cry or are irritable they may increase. But this rapid breathing will decrease over the years, dropping to 20-40 breaths per minute between 12 months and 3 years until reaching the 20 breaths per minute produced by an adult.

Babies breathe only through your nose

Babies up to 6 months breathe only through the nose. The cause is anatomical, since the soft palate is very close to the epiglottis, limiting the entry of air through the mouth. It is normal breathing that is difficult when the baby has nasal obstruction due to upper respiratory infections. But, in turn, it is very beneficial because the nose regulates the humidity and temperature of the inspired air and filters or cleans suspended particles. Around 6 months, the oral cavity grows along with the face and tongue, causing the epiglottis to descend, separating from the soft palate and giving way to the possibility of mouth breathing.

Babies can snore

Snoring is closely related to mucus in the upper airways, another very common aspect in babies. The best ally to alleviate them are those with physiological saline or sea water. But if snoring is not accompanied by a cold, 20% of children who present it may suffer from the syndrome of sleep apnea-hypopnea, where snoring go accompanied by other symptoms such as stopping breathing for 20 seconds or more, restlessness during sleep, and irritability during the day due to poor quality sleep.

Frequent sneezing

They are common in newborns and work as a mechanism to clear the airways.

• The baby performs apneas of short duration (no more than 15 seconds) followed by very continuous breaths at a very fast pace for another 10 to 15 seconds.
• A pause in breathing of more than 20 seconds is pathological and you must react quickly.

Pediatric specialist Advance Medical collaborating physician