How to Identify Respiratory Distress in a Baby

A baby who shows signs of respiratory distress needs to be taken to the emergency room and evaluated. Babies have small, narrow airways, and as a result they may develop breathing problems more easily than an adult would. Babies have respiratory distress for many reasons, including allergies, airway obstructions, infections and injuries. To identify respiratory distress in a baby watch for the signs below.

Instructions

• 1

  Count their respiratory rate. Babies under the age of one year normally breathe at a rate of 25-45 breaths per minute. Newborns for the first few weeks will breathe at 35-70 breaths per minute. Watch for the rise and fall of the chest and count the breaths for a minute. An increased number of breaths per minute may be an indication of distress.

• 2

  Look at their chest for signs of retraction. The ribs and the bottom of the thoracic cage are pulled inward. The harder the baby is working to breathe the worse the retractions will be. Lift up the baby's shirt and watch their chest to see if they are retracting.

• 3

  Watch the baby's nose for nasal flaring. When a baby is in respiratory distress their nares will widen when they inhale. This is because they are having trouble getting enough air in their lungs.

• 4

  Monitor the baby's color. If the baby is a bluish color or their lips are getting blue, that is a sign they are not getting enough oxygen into their bodies. They may also appear pale.

• 5

  Listen for grunting sounds or wheezing. When a baby has trouble getting air in their lungs they may make a grunting sound as they struggle for air. When the airways narrow, a wheezing sound may be heard.

• 6

  Assess the baby's energy level. A baby who is having respiratory distress may be tired from working hard to breathe and appear lethargic. They may also appear somewhat limp and have poor muscle tone.