Is my newborn’s breathing normal?

[YourCoralPoster]

I have an 8 day old baby and am getting very concerned about this breathing.

He’s so noisy, grunty, and squeaky all the time.

Sometimes it seems like he’s gasping for air, sometimes he’s panting fast, sometimes he sounds wheezy.

Rarely, he’s totally silent which now also worries me!

When the midwife visited at 4 days old she said it was normal but I just don’t believe so.

I’ve recorded a video in the hopes that someone can take a look and advise me?

I’m barely sleeping because I’m terrified he’ll stop breathing.

Thanks!

https://youtube.com/shorts/9Ai50yqEA1o?feature=share

If youre worried get him checked. At 8 days old you may still have open access to the post natal ward. Give them a call

Take him to the doctors!

My first baby made some very strange sounds! He also could not sleep independently (he had to be held or he would seem to wake himself up gasping and making these odd noises).

I took a video and showed a GP - she told me kindly but plainly “that is not medically concerning”. It helped to hear that, but I didn’t really believe her - I had severe post partum anxiety.

Your baby is likely fine and normal, but get them checked. And look after yourself too.

I’m afraid I haven’t been able to watch the video but here are my thoughts. First of all, always trust your instincts as a mother. You are the one who knows your baby best, spends the most time with them and are their best advocate. If your instinct tells you something’s not right, you should absolutely seek another opinion - don’t rely on what the midwife said, she only saw baby once four days ago.

It’s normal for newborns to have quite an uncoordinated breathing pattern where they do a few quick breaths, there’s a little gap, and then they do another breath.

However, it’s not normal for newborns to breathe in a way that is noisy, squeaky or grunty. Grunting can indicate that the baby is having to work hard to get the air they need. Other signs that a baby is struggling are a rapid breathing rate (more than 60 breaths a minute), nasal flaring and chest recessions.

I think baby should be checked over by a doctor at the earliest opportunity. Can you call NHS 111 for an out-of-hours GP appointment? Failing this, I would take baby to A&E, as it’s important they seen a doctor sooner rather than later. If you take baby outside, make sure they are well-wrapped as they can get cold very quickly, especially if they are under the weather. If baby stops breathing, loses their colour, goes blue-grey or floppy then call 999.

Best of luck, hopefully the midwife was right and it’s nothing to worry about, but always best to err on the side of caution with newborns.

I just want to give you a hug, OP. This sort of anxiety about a newborn is absolutely natural and we've all been there.
Do get him checked out by a doctor or midwife just in case there is an issue, but in the meantime try not to fret too much. I expect you are pretty exhausted and overwhelmed at the moment, and that is a breeding ground for anxiety. xx

It's hard when you have your first baby because you don't know what is normal. Medical people are generally very encouraging of parents getting very small babies checked out and will reassure you if it's normal, which it probably is. You're developing your instincts but you don't have enough info yet to be sure of yourself either way. So get medical advice and I'm sure all will be well. You won't be wasting anyone's time.

See the GP asap.

I found the video seemed not to load op BUT what I would say is your baby is too important and breathing is too critical an issue not to have him seen urgently.

Babies do have funny breathing patterns (one of mine seemed to take ages between each breath) but you don't need to be spending this time worrying: it's ok to take him in. It isn't worth mucking about.

Some noisy breathing and even the odd grunt can be normal. Rhythmical grunting or squeaking isn’t normal. Like with every/most breaths. Other signs of working harder to breathe are nostril flaring, recession between the ribs. I agree if you’re worried get him seen.

Does he suck his ribs in when he's breathing?
Does his throat suck in when he's breathing?
Does he ever flare his nostrils?
Does his colour ever change around his lips, eyes, hands or feet?

If it's a yes to any of them, I'd absolutely take him in to be checked.

I haven’t seen the video but i’d book an appointment with the GP for reassurance. I do remember mine having funny breathing and being worried but I do think important to have these things checked if concerned.