Emergency & Urgent Care
Difficulty Breathing / Respiratory Distress
Signs of breathing difficulty: rapid breathing (>60 breaths/min for newborn, >40 for older baby), flaring nostrils, retractions (skin pulling in between ribs/above collarbone), grunting with each breath, blue/purple lips or face, wheezing.
Causes: RSV, pneumonia, severe allergic reaction, asthma, choking, croup.
Normal newborn breathing is irregular and can be noisy - but baby should not struggle to breathe.
What to Do
- Call 911 immediately if baby has severe symptoms (blue lips, can't catch breath, stops breathing)
- If mild/moderate distress: Sit upright or hold baby upright to help breathing
- Clear nose with bulb syringe or saline drops if congested
- Keep baby calm - crying makes breathing harder
- Use humidifier or steamy bathroom (run hot shower) for croup or congestion
- DO NOT put baby flat on back if having breathing difficulty
- Monitor breathing rate by counting breaths for 60 seconds
- If wheezing: Call doctor - may need nebulizer treatment or medication
- Remove any tight clothing from around chest and neck
- Stay with baby and monitor constantly until help arrives or breathing improves
When to call a doctor
Call 911 IMMEDIATELY if baby has blue/purple lips or face, can't breathe or catch breath, grunting with every breath, severe chest retractions, or stops breathing for >10 seconds.