Is my newborn breathing normally?

What normal newborn breathing looks like

A newborn's normal breathing rate is about 30 to 60 breaths per minute, often near 40 to 60 when awake and slowing to around 20 to 40 during sleep.

Newborn breathing is naturally uneven. It can be noisy, and the pattern shifts between fast and slow. This is expected as your baby's lungs and nervous system mature.

Count breaths for a full minute when your baby is calm, since brief speed-ups during feeding, crying, or active sleep are normal.

Periodic breathing is normal

Many newborns show periodic breathing: a series of rapid, shallow breaths, then a brief pause, then breathing resumes on its own.

These pauses are short, generally up to about 5 to 10 seconds, and happen without any change in skin color and without your baby seeming distressed. This is normal and is not the same as apnea. It usually settles by around 1 month.

If your baby pauses but their color stays pink and they resume breathing on their own within a few seconds, you are seeing normal periodic breathing.

Warning signs to act on

Some signs mean your baby is working too hard to breathe and needs to be evaluated. Call your pediatrician or seek care if you see them.

A sustained rate over 60 breaths a minute when your baby is calm, flaring nostrils, or grunting with each breath all signal extra effort. So do retractions, where the skin pulls inward at the neck, between the ribs, or under the rib cage with each breath. Wheezing or a high-pitched sound when breathing in also warrants a call.

• A steady rate over 60 breaths a minute when calm
• Nostrils flaring with each breath
• Retractions: skin pulling in at the neck or ribs
• Grunting with each breath
• Wheezing or a high-pitched sound

When to call 911

Some situations are emergencies. Call 911 if your baby's skin, lips, or tongue turn blue or dusky, if your baby stops breathing for about 20 seconds or longer, or if a pause comes with limpness, a color change, or unresponsiveness.

Blue or dusky color signals that your baby is not getting enough oxygen and needs immediate help.

For any baby 3 months or younger, a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher means call your pediatrician right away, and fever combined with fast or labored breathing needs prompt attention.

Related questions

What is a normal breathing rate for a newborn?

About 30 to 60 breaths per minute, often near 40 to 60 when awake and slowing to around 20 to 40 during sleep. Count for a full minute while your baby is calm. Brief speed-ups during feeding, crying, or active sleep are normal. A steady rate over 60 breaths a minute when your baby is calm is a sign to call your pediatrician.

Why does my newborn pause while breathing?

Short pauses are usually normal periodic breathing: fast, shallow breaths followed by a brief pause of up to about 5 to 10 seconds, then breathing resumes on its own with no color change. This is not apnea and usually settles by about 1 month. A pause of around 20 seconds or longer, or one with limpness or a blue color, is an emergency. Call 911.

What are signs my newborn is having trouble breathing?

Warning signs include a sustained rate over 60 breaths a minute when calm, flaring nostrils, grunting with each breath, retractions where the skin pulls in at the neck or ribs, and wheezing. Call your pediatrician for these. Blue or dusky skin, lips, or tongue, or a pause of about 20 seconds or longer, is an emergency. Call 911 right away.

Sources & further reading

1. Stanford Medicine Children's Health — Breathing Problems in Newborns
2. HealthyChildren.org (AAP) — Newborn Reflexes and Behavior
3. NIH/NCBI — Newborn Respiratory Distress (clinical review)

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.