Your baby should develop a normal pattern of breathing days after his birth. He should have no breathing difficulties. But if he breathes in an unusual manner, it is most often from blockage of the nasal passages, which can be treated by using saline nasal drops, followed by the use of a bulb syringe. Both are available over the counter at all pharmacies.
You may need to consult your baby’s healthcare provider if he:
- Breathes too fast. Babies should not breathe more than sixty breaths in one minute.
- Has retractions (sucking in the muscles between the ribs with each breath, so that her ribs stick out).
- Flares his nose.
- Grunts while breathing.
- Has persistently blue skin coloring.
Excerpts from: Common Conditions in Newborns - HealthyChildren.org / Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics).
