To ask if this is normal ?

[Offforanotherwalk]

Newborn (3 weeks old). We had quite a traumatic delivery but he's here now and safe!

I've noticed when he breathes it's his stomach that goes up and down rather than his chest? Is that normal for babies? He also sometimes breathes very fast for about ten seconds then back to normal. We have been discharged from the midwife but I'm a bit worried 🧐 also he seems to strain and fuss periodically which I think is him trying to poop? Is that normal? Any way I can help him? I feel awful if he's uncomfortable and I can't fix it!

First baby in case you can't tell and I'm probably bu precious 🤦🏻‍♀️🙈

Morning, not precious, just concerned mum.
If you have any worries I'd go see gp,
Or anyone who's looking after you, health visitor?
From my distant memory aren't they so tiny everything goes up and down when they breathe?
Maybe a bit of congestion?
I had a fuss arse of a baby so I remember being hypervigilant for many months, but totally appreciate the worry.
X

My stomach goes up and down when I breathe.

I think newborns' breathing is always really erratic. I don't like holding other people's newborns because I panic when they randomly take a longer gap between breaths.

If you have any concerns at all though, speak to your midwife/HV. And congratulations :)

The straining I think is normal. I'd get the breathing looked at for peace of mind.

It’s normal to breathe that way (most people do don’t they?) but I’m not sure about the erratic breathing-does he always do this or just while sleeping? Mine did it al lot while dreaming.

Google newborn chest recession and if it looks the same, call your midwife.

Yes mostly erratic while he's asleep :-) or when he's fussing so I'm not massively worried about that more that he seems to breathe mostly via his stomach. I know it sounds odd I just mean his chest doesn't move as much whereas his whole stomach inflates and deflates with each breath. I think it probably is normal I just worry about everything and I don't want to miss anything. He's healthy, a good colour and eats loads so I'm not massively panicked! I'll ask health visitor when she next comes but that isn't for a few weeks so maybe I'll go to a drop in before then!

If your stomach doesn't inflate and deflate when you breathe then it's you who isn't breathing properly Probably because you're anxious. Try taking a leaf out of baby's book, it'll help you feel calmer if you take proper breaths.

Yes, definitely check it out. My daughter was the same and a midwife noticed and they needed to keep an eye on it. I'd book a dr or hv appointment. I know everyone is saying we breathe from the stomach but it's hard to describe why it's different. It's like the effort is from the stomach rather than just breathing into it