Signs That Children Are Struggling To Breathe

If your baby or child is struggling to breathe, see a health professional urgently.

What might I see or hear if my baby is struggling to breathe?

• fast breathing
• sucking or pulling in under the ribcage
• sucking or pulling in between each rib
• using the muscles around the neck during breathing - this may look like your baby's head is bobbing up and down
• flaring of the nostrils - the nostrils move out as your baby breathes
• extra noises when breathing in or out or both

Pēpi who are struggling to breathe may not be able to feed as well or as long as they usually do.

If your baby looks blue, is very drowsy or has pauses in their breathing, dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help.

See the following video to see an 8-month-old baby who is breathing fast with flaring of their nostrils and pulling in under the ribcage.

What might I see or hear if my child is struggling to breathe?

• fast breathing
• sucking or pulling in under the ribcage
• sucking or pulling in between each rib
• using the muscles around the neck during breathing
• flaring of the nostrils - the nostrils move out as your child breathes
• extra noises when breathing in or out or both
• so breathless they can only speak a few words at a time

If your child looks blue, is agitated or drowsy or can only speak one or 2 words, dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help.

Check the following video to see a 2-year-old who is breathing fast and sucking or pulling in between each rib.

Check the following video to see a 3-year-old sucking or pulling in between each rib.

Check the following video to see a 3-year-old using the muscles around the neck during breathing.

What noises can babies or children make when they are struggling to breathe?

Wheeze

Wheezing is a musical, whistly sound that tamariki make, usually when breathing out. It can also happen when they breathe in. The sound comes from the chest, not from the nose or throat. It can happen if your child has a condition like bronchiolitis or asthma or viral wheeze.

See the KidsHealth page on bronchiolitis for more information.

See the KidsHealth page on asthma for more information.

See the KidsHealth page on viral wheeze for more information.

Check the following video to see and hear an 8-month-old baby who is breathing fast - their head is bobbing and they are wheezing and sucking in under their ribs.

Stridor

Stridor is a harsh noise your child might make when breathing in. It can happen if your child has a condition like croup.

See the KidsHealth page on croup for more information.

Check the following videos to hear what stridor sounds like.

Grunting

A grunt or a moan or a short sigh is a noise your child might make when breathing out. It can happen if your child has a condition like pneumonia.

See the KidsHealth page on pneumonia for more information. 

Check the following video to hear an 8-month-old baby grunting and wheezing.