Breathing Concerns

Is my baby's breathing normal?

Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC guidelines

Editorial policy

Last reviewed:

Key takeaways

  • Go to the ER if: call 911 now
  • Call your doctor if: call during office hours
  • Usually safe to monitor at home: monitor at home
  • When in doubt, call your pediatrician — they would rather hear from you than have you worry alone

What are you noticing?

This is not medical advice. When in doubt, always call your pediatrician.

Quick Reference Guide

Call 911 / Go to ER

  • Call 911 now

    Blue coloring or severe breathing difficulty is a medical emergency.

    • Call 911 immediately
    • Keep your baby upright if possible
    • Do not put anything in their mouth
    • Stay calm - help is on the way

  • Go to the ER now

    Fast breathing or grunting in a very young baby needs immediate evaluation.

    • Go to the emergency room
    • Keep your baby upright
    • Count breaths per minute to report to the doctor

  • Call your pediatrician now

    This breathing pattern needs same-day evaluation.

    • Call your pediatrician or after-hours line
    • Keep your baby upright and calm
    • For croup: cool night air or a steamy bathroom can help while you wait
    • Count breaths per minute to report to the doctor

Call Your Pediatrician

  • Call during office hours

    This is worth mentioning to your pediatrician but likely not urgent.

    • Call your pediatrician at their next office hours
    • Monitor for worsening - if breathing gets harder, call sooner
    • Use a cool-mist humidifier and saline drops for congestion

Monitor at Home

  • Monitor at home

    Congestion and snoring-type breathing is very common in babies, especially with colds.

    • Use saline drops and a bulb syringe to clear the nose
    • Run a cool-mist humidifier in the room
    • Keep baby's head slightly elevated during sleep
    • Call your pediatrician if it worsens or your baby develops a fever

Breathing Concerns — When to Seek Care Decision Guide

Urgency: Emergency / ER

Scenario: Call 911 now

What to Do: Blue coloring or severe breathing difficulty is a medical emergency.

Key Actions: Call 911 immediately; Keep your baby upright if possible; Do not put anything in their mouth; Stay calm - help is on the way

Urgency: Emergency / ER

Scenario: Go to the ER now

What to Do: Fast breathing or grunting in a very young baby needs immediate evaluation.

Key Actions: Go to the emergency room; Keep your baby upright; Count breaths per minute to report to the doctor

Urgency: Emergency / ER

Scenario: Call your pediatrician now

What to Do: This breathing pattern needs same-day evaluation.

Key Actions: Call your pediatrician or after-hours line; Keep your baby upright and calm; For croup: cool night air or a steamy bathroom can help while you wait; Count breaths per minute to report to the doctor

Urgency: Call Doctor

Scenario: Call during office hours

What to Do: This is worth mentioning to your pediatrician but likely not urgent.

Key Actions: Call your pediatrician at their next office hours; Monitor for worsening - if breathing gets harder, call sooner; Use a cool-mist humidifier and saline drops for congestion

Urgency: Monitor at Home

Scenario: Monitor at home

What to Do: Congestion and snoring-type breathing is very common in babies, especially with colds.

Key Actions: Use saline drops and a bulb syringe to clear the nose; Run a cool-mist humidifier in the room; Keep baby's head slightly elevated during sleep; Call your pediatrician if it worsens or your baby develops a fever

Based on AAP and CDC symptom management guidelines. Always call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.

Frequently asked questions

When should I take my baby to the ER for breathing concerns?
Call 911 now: Blue coloring or severe breathing difficulty is a medical emergency.. Go to the ER now: Fast breathing or grunting in a very young baby needs immediate evaluation.. Call your pediatrician now: This breathing pattern needs same-day evaluation..
When should I call the doctor about baby breathing concerns?
Call during office hours: This is worth mentioning to your pediatrician but likely not urgent..
When can I monitor breathing concerns at home?
Congestion and snoring-type breathing is very common in babies, especially with colds..

Bottom line

Most cases of breathing concerns in babies can be managed at home with monitoring. Seek emergency care if you notice call 911 now. When in doubt, call your pediatrician.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

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