What causes rapid breathing in newborn babies?

Young parents who take more rest in daily life will find that their babies always breathe very fast, especially when feeding or drinking milk, their breathing is faster than normal people. This is because the inside of the baby's nasal cavity is narrower after birth. If the breathing air is not circulated, there will be symptoms of shortness of breath. The breathing rate of newborns is faster than that of normal people. So what is the reason for the rapid breathing of newborn babies?

Some babies breathe quickly after birth, as if they are "short for breath", and some even gasp for air. Why does this happen to babies?

Newborn baby breathing fast Newborn baby breathing fast gasping for air

The normal breathing rate of a newborn is faster than that of an adult, reaching 40 to 60 times per minute. If the breathing rate exceeds 60 times per minute when the child is in a quiet state, it means that the child is "short of breath". There are several common reasons for shortness of breath:

1. Congenital malformations can affect gas exchange and cause shortness of breath due to insufficient oxygen supply.

2. Amniotic fluid inhalation during birth affects normal gas exchange, and the newborn has to rely on compensatory breathing to make up for the deficiency. There is another type of neonatal wet lung, which refers to the temporary increase in breathing before the fluid in the lungs during the fetal period is completely absorbed at birth. It usually disappears on its own within 2 to 3 days.

3. Neonatal pneumonia is mainly manifested by shortness of breath, and severe symptoms may include nasal flaring, nodding breathing, and cyanosis.

4. Dyspnea syndrome. It is more common in premature infants born by cesarean section. Most cases develop progressive, paroxysmal dyspnea within 12 hours after delivery, with inspiratory retractions between the ribs and under the xiphoid process, followed by apnea and irregular breathing.

What is the reason for the newborn's rapid breathing? Parents do not need to worry about this phenomenon. If you find your child like this for a long time, you can take the child to the hospital for examination. Part of the reason for the child's rapid breathing is the narrowness of the nasal cavity and the inhalation of amniotic fluid at birth. It will disappear in about 2 to 3 days. It is also necessary to prevent the child from having symptoms of pneumonia and emphysema.