A–Z Glossary

Chest retractions

Retractions occur when the skin pulls inward around the ribs, ribcage, or neck, indicating increased work of breathing.

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Noisy Baby Sleep: Grunting, Moving and Crying

Noisy Baby Sleep: Grunting, Moving and Crying

Why babies make noise during sleep Infant sleep is not a quiet, motionless state. Newborns spend a substantial proportion of sleep in active sleep, a state comparable in some ways to rapid eye movement sleep. During active sleep, breathing may be irregular, facial expressions may change, and the infant may make brief vocalizations. Small movements […]

Breathing problems in babies explained

Breathing problems in babies explained

How babies breathe and why changes matter Babies breathe faster than adults, and newborn breathing can be irregular. Brief pauses, small sighs, and changing rhythm may occur during sleep, especially in the first weeks of life. What matters clinically is the whole pattern: rate, effort, color, feeding ability, alertness, and whether the baby can maintain […]

When baby breathing is normal

When baby breathing is normal

Normal baby breathing often looks irregular Normal baby breathing is not simply a smaller version of adult breathing. Newborns and young infants have immature respiratory control, smaller airways, softer chest walls, and a higher baseline oxygen demand. Because of this, their breathing can appear uneven, especially while asleep. A baby may breathe quickly for a […]

Fast breathing baby causes

Fast breathing baby causes

What fast breathing looks like in a baby Babies normally breathe faster than older children and adults, so the first challenge is deciding whether the breathing is simply age-appropriate or truly abnormal. Clinically, fast breathing usually means the respiratory rate is elevated even when the baby is calm, warm, and not crying. It may be […]

Wheezing in babies explained

Wheezing in babies explained

What wheezing in a baby actually sounds like Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that usually happens when air moves through narrowed airways, especially during exhalation. Medically, the sound reflects resistance in the bronchial tree, often from airway swelling, mucus, or spasm. In a baby, the sound can be subtle, intermittent, or loud enough to […]

RSV in Babies: Symptoms and Warning Signs

RSV in Babies: Symptoms and Warning Signs

What RSV is and why it can affect babies so strongly RSV is a contagious respiratory virus that spreads easily through droplets and contaminated surfaces. In adults and older children it often causes a self-limited upper respiratory infection, but in babies the same infection can affect the smaller airways more significantly because those passages are […]

When to visit urgent care baby

When to visit urgent care baby

What urgent care can and cannot provide Urgent care is designed for conditions that need evaluation within hours but are not clearly life-threatening. Depending on the facility, clinicians may assess fever, mild respiratory illness, ear or throat concerns, minor injuries, uncomplicated vomiting or diarrhea, rashes, and feeding concerns. They may examine the baby, measure vital […]

Croup in children: symptoms, home care, and warning signs

Croup in children: symptoms, home care, and warning signs

What croup is and why it sounds so distinctive Croup is a common childhood respiratory illness in which inflammation and swelling develop in the upper airway, particularly around the larynx, vocal cords, and trachea. Because young children have relatively narrow airways, even modest swelling can change the sound of breathing and coughing. The classic cough […]