My Baby Has Bronchiolitis
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect has bronchiolitis, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, usually caused by RSV or other viruses. It's common in babies under 1 year and typically peaks around days 3-5 before improving. Most babies recover at home with supportive care, but watch for signs of breathing difficulty like fast breathing, chest retractions, or trouble feeding.
Key takeaways
- Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, usually caused by RSV or other viruses. It's common in babies under 1 year and typically peaks around days 3-5 before improving. Most babies recover at home with supportive care, but watch for signs of breathing difficulty like fast breathing, chest retractions, or trouble feeding.
- Usually normal when: Your baby has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis and is being monitored at home by your pediatrician
- Call your doctor if: Your baby is breathing very fast (over 60 breaths per minute for infants, over 50 for older babies when calm)
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Fever itself is not an illness — rather, it is a sign or symptom that the body is fighting an infection. Fever stimulates certain defenses, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria.”
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Searching for answers means you care.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, bronchiolitis is inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, usually caused by RSV or other viruses. It's common in babies under 1 year and typically peaks around days 3-5 before improving. Most babies recover at home with supportive care, but watch for signs of breathing difficulty like fast breathing, chest retractions, or trouble feeding. At 0-3 months, young babies are most vulnerable to severe bronchiolitis. What starts as a runny nose can quickly progress to fast, difficult breathing and wheezing. Babies this age have tiny airways that swell easily. Contact your pediatrician at the first sign of cold symptoms, and seek immediate care if your baby is breathing fast, grunting, or feeding poorly. It is generally considered normal when your baby has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis and is being monitored at home by your pediatrician. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby is breathing very fast (over 60 breaths per minute for infants, over 50 for older babies when calm).
Normal vs. Concerning
When to Seek Immediate Care
- Your baby is breathing very fast (over 60 breaths per minute for infants, over 50 for older babies when calm)
- Your baby's chest is pulling in sharply with each breath or nostrils are flaring
- Your baby's lips, tongue, or skin turn blue or very pale
- Your baby has pauses in breathing or very irregular breathing
- Your baby refuses to eat or drink for several hours and is having fewer wet diapers
- Your baby is extremely lethargic, difficult to wake, or unresponsive
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Young babies are most vulnerable to severe bronchiolitis. What starts as a runny nose can quickly progress to fast, difficult breathing and wheezing. Babies this age have tiny airways that swell easily. Contact your pediatrician at the first sign of cold symptoms, and seek immediate care if your baby is breathing fast, grunting, or feeding poorly.
3-6 months
Bronchiolitis usually starts with a few days of cold symptoms before breathing becomes more labored. You may hear wheezing or rattling in your baby's chest. The worst symptoms typically occur on days 3-5. Your baby may need smaller, more frequent feeds due to breathing difficulty. Most improve at home with rest, hydration, and close monitoring.
6-12 months
While still concerning, babies this age generally handle bronchiolitis better than younger infants. Expect 7-10 days of illness, with the cough often lasting 2-3 weeks. Use a cool mist humidifier, keep your baby upright, and offer frequent fluids. Call your doctor if breathing becomes labored, feeding drops significantly, or wet diapers decrease.
12-24 months
Bronchiolitis is less common after 1 year but can still occur. Your toddler may have significant coughing and wheezing but typically maintains better oxygen levels than younger babies. The illness may be labeled as a "wheezy bronchitis" or viral wheeze. Home care includes rest, fluids, and monitoring breathing effort.
2 years+
By age 2, most children have larger airways and are less likely to develop bronchiolitis. If wheezing occurs with viral illnesses, your pediatrician may consider other diagnoses like reactive airway disease or asthma. Treatment may include breathing treatments or inhalers, different from typical bronchiolitis management.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed has bronchiolitis and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby's symptoms haven't improved by day 7-10.
- Mention if your baby is eating less than half of normal feeds for more than 24 hours.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis and is being monitored at home by your pediatrician
- Your baby is breathing comfortably when calm, even if you hear congestion or mild wheezing
- Your baby is taking smaller feeds more frequently but is staying hydrated with regular wet diapers
- The illness is gradually improving after peaking around days 3-5
- Your baby has some energy and can smile or interact, even if more tired than usual
- Your baby's symptoms haven't improved by day 7-10
- Your baby is eating less than half of normal feeds for more than 24 hours
- The cough is still severe after 2 weeks
- Your baby has a fever that comes back after being gone for a day or more
- You're worried about your baby's breathing but unsure if it warrants emergency care
- Your baby is breathing very fast (over 60 breaths per minute for infants, over 50 for older babies when calm)
- Your baby's chest is pulling in sharply with each breath or nostrils are flaring
- Your baby's lips, tongue, or skin turn blue or very pale
- Your baby has pauses in breathing or very irregular breathing
- Your baby refuses to eat or drink for several hours and is having fewer wet diapers
- Your baby is extremely lethargic, difficult to wake, or unresponsive
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice has bronchiolitis — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis and is being monitored at home by your pediatrician — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby is breathing very fast (over 60 breaths per minute for infants, over 50 for older babies when calm).
Related Resources
Breathing Difficulty Triage
Assess breathing concerns and know when to seek emergency care.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is has bronchiolitis normal?
When should I call the doctor about has bronchiolitis?
When is has bronchiolitis normal?
What causes has bronchiolitis?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about has bronchiolitis?
Is has bronchiolitis normal at 0-3 months?
Is has bronchiolitis normal at 3-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for has bronchiolitis?
Does has bronchiolitis go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Has Bronchiolitis.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed has bronchiolitis and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby's symptoms haven't improved by day 7-10.
- Mention if your baby is eating less than half of normal feeds for more than 24 hours.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby's symptoms haven't improved by day 7-10
- Your baby is eating less than half of normal feeds for more than 24 hours
- The cough is still severe after 2 weeks
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby is breathing very fast (over 60 breaths per minute for infants, over 50 for older babies when calm)
- Your baby's chest is pulling in sharply with each breath or nostrils are flaring
- Your baby's lips, tongue, or skin turn blue or very pale
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of has bronchiolitis are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby is breathing very fast (over 60 breaths per minute for infants, over 50 for older babies when calm).
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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