Skip to main content

My baby is finding it hard to breathe – babies under 3 months

If your child:

Is pale with patchy coloured skin that feels cold when you touch it.

  • Has gaps in their breathing of more than 10 seconds
  • Or makes a strange grunting sound each time they breathe out
  • Or they have blue lips

Has a stiff body or keeps making jerking movements that don’t stop when you hold them.

  • Is crying and won’t stop
  • Is confused
  • Very difficult to wake up

Gets a rash that does not go away when you press on it. Press the bottom of a glass on the rash to see if it disappears. Press the bottom of a glass on the rash to see if it disappears.

Is under 3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above.

(If they’ve had their routine injections in the last 2 days and have no other features of being unwell- then give paracetamol or ibuprofen (for babies) and watch them closely. If their temperature does not come down within 30 minutes get help)

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital A&E Department or phone 999.

If your child:

Has difficulty breathing, including breathing fast all of the time; widening their nostrils; or pulling in their tummy muscles when breathing so you can see dips at the bottom of their rib cage.

  • Not interested in feeding
  • Has a dry mouth
  • Has sunken eyes
  • Is sleepy
  • No wet nappies in the last 8 hours

Is becoming sleepy or upset and you are unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or cuddling – especially if they stay this way when their temperature is coming down.

Is getting worse or if you are worried.

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111 If symptoms continue for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your doctor or to NHS 111 staff, check your child has not developed anything in red list above.

If your child:

Has none of these

It is normal for a baby to take small pauses in their breathing for a few seconds, or to breath quickly for a short time. By 6 weeks of age they should have a more regular breathing pattern.

More information is available about babies crying and how to cope is here.

Self care

Keep caring for your child at home.

If you are still worried about your child, contact your Health Visitor or call NHS 111 – dial 111.