Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Baby gasping for breath while sleeping

29 replies

12345NC · 07/10/2022 23:18

Why could this be happening?
Baby is 12 weeks old. We've noticed tonight she's gasping for breath while she's sleeping every few minutes. I googled and it said she might need to cough.
So I picked her up and patted her back and she did a really big cough and a few more. After lying her down, she's still doing it.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

12345NC · 07/10/2022 23:18

Also it is waking her up when she does it. She gasps and then her eyes open.

OP posts:

Mirrorcell · 07/10/2022 23:20

I recommend you film her it may be sleep apnea. If you can film her stomach (naked) as well as it can be identified by the way she breathes into her stomach. Then make a gp appointment.

look up sleep apnea breathing videos on you tube .

Mirrorcell · 07/10/2022 23:21

Sounds just like my child. Had to have tonsils and adenoids removed due to sleep apnea.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

0-3 months old 3-6 months old Babies & sleep Children's health

Perpop · 07/10/2022 23:28

Are they belly breathing?

RSV

Original poster

12345NC · 07/10/2022 23:43

I can see her chest going up and down. Her mouth is closed. She hasn't got her dummy in. She had it in before but I've left it out when it fell out before. She hasn't done it for a few minutes now. I'm just watching ti check she is breathing steadily, and she is. I'm going to stay up for a while to check and see if it happens again. At the moment she's breathing the way she normally does. The gasping only started about an hour ago.

OP posts:

Original poster

12345NC · 08/10/2022 16:55

We phoned 111 and spoke with someone who got a consultant to call us back. They think it sounds like a cold. She has pink watery eyes, and has been coughing.
I've been really worried. I always seem to go to the worst case scenario and I'm still worried now. She's only 13 weeks. Isn't that a bit young for a cold??

OP posts:

LIZS · 08/10/2022 16:57

Rsv is a cold virus but can lead to bronchiolitis, so if she is sucking in below her ribs she needs to see a doctor. Dd had it around same age and it is very common in first winter.

girlmom21 · 08/10/2022 16:58

They're never too young for a cold unfortunately OP. It's miserable when they're so young, but it's definitely preferable to some of the fears you had, I'm sure!

CrookCrane · 08/10/2022 16:58

They can get a cold at any age, one of mine had their first at 3 weeks old. I’d keep a very close eye on her OP and take her to the GP or A&E if you become worried.

Hugasauras · 08/10/2022 18:10

DD2 was 3 weeks for her first cold! Older sibling at nursery means you're lucky if you get to 12 weeks without something making its way home.

Original poster

12345NC · 08/10/2022 19:39

I'm so worried. DP is telling me to calm down. I'm anxious a lot when it comes to the baby. I do end up thinking the absolute worst case scenario. I didn't sleep at all last night. Just stayed awake watching her. If she gasped or coughed, I was diving up. It's horrible. We've given her some cough syrup from 3+ months.

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 08/10/2022 19:43

OP if it would give you peace of mind get her seen. Every healthcare professional would rather see a baby and reassure a new mom than not see a baby who needs help.

Original poster

12345NC · 08/10/2022 19:48

@girlmom21
When we spoke to 111 they said they didn't seem concerned that it would be anything other than a cold. I don't know if I'm just working myself up.
She isn't coughing often. Probably about once per hour for a few seconds. She's still drinking her milk. And smiling. She's asleep now.
We also had the fire on last night downstairs and it was a bit hot so I'm not sure if the dry air made her cough as it only started last night at about 9pm.

OP posts:

sheepandcaravan · 08/10/2022 20:00

Seriously get her seen, it's called instinct for a reason, others have said, nobody will ever ever criticise you for getting a tiny baby checked over.

I get that fear, I really do.

sheepandcaravan · 08/10/2022 20:02

Also, does she have a fever?
Is she feeding normal?
Has she had wet nappies?

Original poster

12345NC · 08/10/2022 20:08

She's feeding normal. Wet nappies. Her temperature is fine. I'm going to check temp again in a bit but it was fine before.

OP posts:

Aquamarine1029 · 08/10/2022 20:11

Your anxiety is totally normal, op. It's awful when there's something not quite right with your baby.

flapjackfairy · 08/10/2022 20:12

do you have a open fire or log burner? They are really not food for young babies or people with chest issues due to the small particles they give off.
however with the latest fashion for them people generally dont want to know about this but there is good evidence for it .

ohidoliketobe · 08/10/2022 20:16

Please check the symptoms for rsv and bronchiolitis
www.nhs.uk/conditions/bronchiolitis/
I echo previous posters, go off your instinct. My DC#3 had a nasty bout of RSV and bronchi (plus covid and a secondary chest infection!) at 11 weeks and she went from being a bit snuffly to off her milk and sucking in when taking breaths very quickly. We were in hospital for 3 days and she fine afterwards, but it was a very frightening experience.

sheepandcaravan · 08/10/2022 20:21

Try and think of it like this

Best case, you get her checked, she's fine. Worst case, she needs some help. You got it.

Otherwise, you sit there worrying and not sleeping and getting more and more wound up.

Michaelmonstera · 08/10/2022 20:23

Follow your instincts. At 6 weeks, DS missed breaths when sleeping and went floppy at one point; however, by the time we got to the hospital he was feeding, no temp and wet nappies - two doctors in A & E had an argument about further tests (one wanted to send us home). Luckily they did a blood test and he was in hospital for 4 days

TokenGinger · 08/10/2022 22:12

My son did this. He had sleep apnoea. He had his tonsils and adenoids removed and it's stopped.

JennyForeigner · 08/10/2022 22:17

One of our twins was born with sucking breathing and it returned around 6 weeks. It was RSV and he needed a night under observation. It happens - we took him to the GP and they sent us back onto ward without having to wait for A&E.

Ironically our other twin is the one who now has a semi-permanent cough. A cold-steam humidifier really helps and will set your mind at rest through cold season.

Original poster

12345NC · 09/10/2022 09:01

She isn't gasping now. She did that a few times but then it stopped.
She's be coughing a little bit. And she sounds a little congested. The pharmacist said to try some snuffle baby and some cough medicine.
I have said to DP about going and having her checked out but they think I'm being a bit irrational saying it's obvious it's just a cold and doesn't want to present at A&E with a cold.
Baby is sleeping and having all milk the same etc.
Does it sound like it could be a cold with these symptoms?
She seems fine in herself such as smiling etc.

OP posts:

Original poster

12345NC · 09/10/2022 09:02

Also, I have looked up everything that has been mentioned on this thread but the symptoms don't seem to align with what I've read and I've been watching out for every one.
I've been awake again all night checking on her. She has slept fine.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2