Periodic Breathing
Updated May 13, 2013.
Q. I have a newborn baby boy (10 days old),that has very strange breathing habits while asleep. His breathing rate goes from 'normal' to extremely fast and intense, as though he were having a scary dream. Also, his little body seems to have little shocks or convulsions while asleep that don't nessessarily coincide with the rapid breathing rate. I was wanting to know if these are normal occurances or is there a need for concern. David, Vancouver, Canada
A.
Newborns often have what is called periodic breathing, in which they have little episodes of slow breathing, followed by a minute or so of very rapid breathing. This is usually normal, but shouldn't cause your child to turn blue or have any other symptoms.
While true 'convulsions' aren't normal, if your baby just has awkward and jerky movements, then that is likely normal too. See this article on Fussy Babies and Shaking Movements for more information.
Even if his breathing and 'little shocks' sound normal, it may be helpful to videotape the episodes and show them to your Pediatrician to make sure that they truly are normal, especially if your baby doesn't seem to be eating well or otherwise growing and developing normally.
Q. I have a newborn baby boy (10 days old),that has very strange breathing habits while asleep. His breathing rate goes from 'normal' to extremely fast and intense, as though he were having a scary dream. Also, his little body seems to have little shocks or convulsions while asleep that don't nessessarily coincide with the rapid breathing rate. I was wanting to know if these are normal occurances or is there a need for concern. David, Vancouver, Canada
A.
Newborns often have what is called periodic breathing, in which they have little episodes of slow breathing, followed by a minute or so of very rapid breathing. This is usually normal, but shouldn't cause your child to turn blue or have any other symptoms.
While true 'convulsions' aren't normal, if your baby just has awkward and jerky movements, then that is likely normal too. See this article on Fussy Babies and Shaking Movements for more information.
Even if his breathing and 'little shocks' sound normal, it may be helpful to videotape the episodes and show them to your Pediatrician to make sure that they truly are normal, especially if your baby doesn't seem to be eating well or otherwise growing and developing normally.
Source...