New parents may have noticed that their little bundles of joy tend to breathe faster than adults. This can be quite alarming, especially for new moms and dads who are still navigating the world of parenthood. But what is really going on behind those tiny nostrils? And why do newborns seem to take more breaths per minute than grown-ups?
In this article, we will explore the science behind rapid infant breathing and help you understand everything you need to know about your baby's respiratory system.
The Basics Of Respiration
Before we dive deep into the topic, let us first review some basic information about respiration itself. Simply put, breathing is a process where our body inhales oxygen through our nose or mouth and releases carbon dioxide as waste.
This exchange takes place in the lungs, which contain millions of small air sacs called alveoli. Oxygen from the air we breathe diffuses into these alveoli and passes into our bloodstream by binding with red blood cells.
On the other hand, carbon dioxide dissolved in blood enters the lungs from where it leaves our body during an exhalation. This cycle repeats itself several times every minute without us even being aware of it most times.
Do All Humans Breathe At The Same Rate?
No! Different people breathe at different rates depending on several factors such as age, weight, gender and health status among others. For instance, athletes generally have slower respiratory rates due to expanded lung capacity acquired through exercise training while patients with medical conditions affecting their breathing could exhibit higher-than-normal respiration rates.
Several other things besides environmental situations could cause changes in one's rate of breading sometimes denoted by Respirations Per Minute (RPM) regardless if they are infants or adults alike so there really isn't a fixed number that bounds all humans' RPM,.
However,different stages of life have a typical breathing rate and newborns differ significantly from adults. Let us look at how that goes down.
Why Do Newborns Breathe Rapidly?
Newborn babies take an average of 40 to 60 breaths per minute, which is much faster than adults' resting respiratory rates averaging around 12 to 20 RPM or in some cases even lower. The main reason behind this phenomenon has got to do with their immature lungs.
At birth, your baby's lungs are still developing and not fully matured yet. They contain a lesser number of alveoli than adult lungs, making it more challenging for them to exchange gases as effectively as an older person would while breathing fast sufficient enough until they can get tired sometimes after or during feeding times relieving the stress they may go through as described in Table One below
| Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| • Allows newborn's blood vessels time to develop properly • Helps clear lung fluid before taking first breath |
• Increases energy expenditure • Could lead mom & dad into a panic attack |
| • Necessary for oxygenating tissues • Prevents hypoxia |
|
That said,the high frequency rapid gas exchange helps keep up with the extreme demands infants require once born soon learning mastery over 'little inhales' then on bigger ones hence complementing their poor respiratory systems, particularly when dealing with low levels of oxygen (hypoxia).
As babies learn quicker through imitation, parents tend often without realizing it copy the child whilst feeding/rocking them - this makes caregivers also traditionally start breathing rapidly conveying a sense of calmness alluding further away from any anxiety-inducing atmosphere especially since research shows that one could easily spot changes in vital signs if we detected abnormalities early on whereby seeking immediate medical attention becomes paramount.
What Causes Hypoxia In Infants?
Hypoxia is when the body has insufficient oxygen supply which can lead to damage cells, tissue and even organ growth. Many babies born with respiratory distress around birth could be at a higher risk of experiencing hypoxia since their air sacs may not yet have reached full maturation.
Babies in the womb usually receive oxygen through the bloodstream from their mother via placenta but once they are born into an environment that doesn't come pre-equiped with what they're used to, things become different more so when there's choking/excessive crying involved during the initial childbirth stages making breathing difficult for them exposing them to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) brain injuries in severe cases among other numerous neonatal conditions^1.
It goes without saying that babies' blood would contain much more red blood cell count than an adult due to some maternal-fetal transfer factors, therefore causing newborns naturally very sensitive or vulnerable than adults physiologically speaking towards any slight changes within their surroundings given its relatively undeveloped immune system trying its darndest however resulting still susceptible creating such scenarios like steep gradiant-derived pressure differences between pulmonary artery and systemic circulation supporting hypoxic events whilst nursing/feeding them/ laying down- hence respiratory rate increase comes handy here as they try to correct both pulse oximetry values and arterial tensions so as not trigger further diseases/circulatory anomalies that cause adversities long term.
When Should You Be Worried About Your Baby's Respiratory Rate?
Although it can seem worrying for new parents when their baby breathes fast constantly; it is often normal phenomena related closely evolving respitory rates such as these :
•Breathing rapidly after being physically active
• Crying loudly
• Falling asleep quickly
If your baby presents none of these symptoms but keeps having rapid shallow patterned breaths over an extended period, seek medical attention since it may signify a hidden medical condition related to the respiratory system which should be immediately checked with caution.
In short, noise making asymmetrical patterns plus some wheeze-like symptoms through breathing signifies a lot when given probably by newly born babies.
Conclusion
In sum, newborn's hyper ventilation could seem alarming to new parents but is essential and quite naturalised due to the undeveloped state of their lungs at birth besides other contributory variables like environmental conditions place present factors within these variables determining RPM despite being boundless essentially. Although sometimes there might arise causes for concern if one spots out-of-the-norm behaviours prolongedly persisting than normal function or sometimes seems noisy, it’s always best not missing anything seeking prompt medical attention as needed so as well-bonded guardians we need always vigilant&unwavering as each & every infant's unique in itself.
So let us take note! Respiratory rates will vary throughout life just like human beings' all diverse from another- don't think you'd see an adult maintaining 120RPM anytime soon unless otherwise said so medically that is 😜