What breathing looks like when she is well or has a cold, the signs that she is struggling to breathe, and when to call for help.
In short
- Colds and blocked noses are common.
- Struggling to breathe is an emergency.
- Blue lips or pauses need an emergency call.
When she is well or has a cold
In deep sleep, her breathing is steady and regular. In lighter sleep, she moves more and may make small fussy sounds.
Colds are common in babies. She may have a blocked or runny nose and a cough. She may breathe through her mouth, and find feeding and sleeping harder. A cold can last longer in a baby than in an adult.
Signs she is struggling to breathe
- She works hard to breathe. Her tummy or chest sucks in under her ribs, her nostrils flare or her head nods.
- She makes grunting noises with each breath. A very young baby may make a sound like a lamb bleating.
- She breathes very fast.
- She has pauses in her breathing, or her breathing is irregular.
If you see any of these, call your emergency number now. Trust your instincts if you feel something is seriously wrong.
A high-pitched sound when she breathes in, or stopping for breath during feeds, also needs a doctor now.
Chest infections
Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection in babies. It starts like a cold. Then she may cough, breathe faster, wheeze and feed less. It is worst between days 3 and 5.
Croup causes a barking cough, like a seal, and a hoarse cry. It is often worse at night.
To help her, give smaller feeds more often. Keep her upright when she is awake. Check on her often, including at night. Do not smoke around her. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before giving any medicine.
Other signs she may be seriously ill
- She is hard to wake: call your emergency number now
- Her throat or tongue swells: call your emergency number now
- She is 3 to 6 months, has not had a vaccine in the last 2 days, and her temperature is 39C or more: call your emergency number now
- She is 3 to 6 months, had a vaccine in the last 2 days, and her temperature is 39C or more: call your doctor now
- She is 3 months or older and has a temperature of 38C or more: call your doctor today
- She is feeding much less than normal: call your doctor today
- Her cold is getting worse: call your doctor today
