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Faizan
Babies make a lot of respiratory noises as they adjust from life in amniotic fluid to taking in air, including wheezing, rasping and whistling. Most of these sounds are normal, but some of them could be indicators of illness, infection or a congenital condition. Parents should be most concerned about labored breathing, but are always encouraged to call the pediatrician to make sure everything’s fine.
Infant Breathing
Normal baby breathing includes noises, variations in rhythm and even pauses lasting for a few seconds. Babies are nose breathers, which is the main reason they make respiratory noises. Their nostrils are small and easily blocked by just a bit of mucus. Since they can’t blow their own noses, the slightest blockage can result in “a whistle, a sniffle, or even a snort,” according to WhatToExpect.com. Even slight wheezing or rasping sounds can be an indication that a baby is trying to take air in through her mouth due to a blockage in her nostrils.
Deep Raspy Breathing
A few raspy breaths that disappear when a baby’s nose is suctioned out aren’t a likely cause for concern. On the other hand, deep, consistently raspy breathing may be an indication of a congenital condition called tracheomalacia. This condition means that the cartilage of the baby’s trachea, or throat, is softer and weaker than normal, and can flop or collapse inward during inhalation, generating a deep, raspy noise. Babies with this condition might also make high-pitched breathing noises, and their sounds may become more severe during feedings, coughing, respiratory illnesses or period of crying.
Tracheomalacia
Tracheomalacia is a rare condition and can be confirmed by physicians through a procedure called laryngoscopy, which allows them to look down the throat with a scope. In most cases, tracheomalacia goes away on its own by the time a baby reaches 18 to 24 months of age, because the cartilage in the trachea becomes stronger and less floppy. However, Andrew L. de Jong, M.D., writing for Baylor College of Medicine, points out that the condition “can be associated with a variety of congenital anomalies including cardiovascular defects (and) developmental delay. …” Babies with this condition must be watched closely whenever they have a respiratory illness, as it’s much harder for them to breathe while sick, and noisy breathing could quickly become labored breathing.
Labored Breathing
There’s a difference between raspy breathing and labored breathing, although the two can coincide. The noise of a raspy breath is usually generated in the throat, as with tracheomalacia. However, if raspy breathing is accompanied by grunting to complete an inhalation, obvious nostril flaring or a breathing rate of more than 60 breaths per minute, the situation is much more urgent. Further, lung problems are often associated with fever and lethargy. Turning blue while still breathing can indicate cyanosis, meaning the blood isn’t being sufficiently oxygenated.
Treatment
Babies suffering from tracheomalacia are shown to benefit from humid air and infection-fighting antibiotics, when needed. A slow intake of food is also important in avoiding aspiration pneumonia. Experts universally advise parents concerned about their baby’s breathing noises to contact their health care provider, who can help pinpoint the problem. Most importantly, if a baby’s breathing ever becomes labored, parents should treat it as an emergency situation and go to the doctor immediately.
Infant Breathing
Normal baby breathing includes noises, variations in rhythm and even pauses lasting for a few seconds. Babies are nose breathers, which is the main reason they make respiratory noises. Their nostrils are small and easily blocked by just a bit of mucus. Since they can’t blow their own noses, the slightest blockage can result in “a whistle, a sniffle, or even a snort,” according to WhatToExpect.com. Even slight wheezing or rasping sounds can be an indication that a baby is trying to take air in through her mouth due to a blockage in her nostrils.
Deep Raspy Breathing
A few raspy breaths that disappear when a baby’s nose is suctioned out aren’t a likely cause for concern. On the other hand, deep, consistently raspy breathing may be an indication of a congenital condition called tracheomalacia. This condition means that the cartilage of the baby’s trachea, or throat, is softer and weaker than normal, and can flop or collapse inward during inhalation, generating a deep, raspy noise. Babies with this condition might also make high-pitched breathing noises, and their sounds may become more severe during feedings, coughing, respiratory illnesses or period of crying.
Tracheomalacia
Tracheomalacia is a rare condition and can be confirmed by physicians through a procedure called laryngoscopy, which allows them to look down the throat with a scope. In most cases, tracheomalacia goes away on its own by the time a baby reaches 18 to 24 months of age, because the cartilage in the trachea becomes stronger and less floppy. However, Andrew L. de Jong, M.D., writing for Baylor College of Medicine, points out that the condition “can be associated with a variety of congenital anomalies including cardiovascular defects (and) developmental delay. …” Babies with this condition must be watched closely whenever they have a respiratory illness, as it’s much harder for them to breathe while sick, and noisy breathing could quickly become labored breathing.
Labored Breathing
There’s a difference between raspy breathing and labored breathing, although the two can coincide. The noise of a raspy breath is usually generated in the throat, as with tracheomalacia. However, if raspy breathing is accompanied by grunting to complete an inhalation, obvious nostril flaring or a breathing rate of more than 60 breaths per minute, the situation is much more urgent. Further, lung problems are often associated with fever and lethargy. Turning blue while still breathing can indicate cyanosis, meaning the blood isn’t being sufficiently oxygenated.
Treatment
Babies suffering from tracheomalacia are shown to benefit from humid air and infection-fighting antibiotics, when needed. A slow intake of food is also important in avoiding aspiration pneumonia. Experts universally advise parents concerned about their baby’s breathing noises to contact their health care provider, who can help pinpoint the problem. Most importantly, if a baby’s breathing ever becomes labored, parents should treat it as an emergency situation and go to the doctor immediately.
