Is this normal? Q re: my 9mo DS breathing...should I be worried?

I plan to ask my ped about this at DS's next visit but, wanted to first get a sense if this was normal or a problem.

I've noticed this before but, last night DS slept in our bed for a bit (which he rarely does) so I really noticed it. Also, DS is a very noisy breather at night which is how I noticed it (this is normal for him).

This is very hard to explain but here goes -DS's breathing when he sleeps at night is sometimes "irregular." Like - his breaths aren't in a regular rythm - sometimes his breaths are faster and closer together and then they will slow down. Sometimes he has one very deep loud breath - preceeded by or followed by a couple of second pause.

So this had me up watching him for most of the night cause I was so nervous about it! So I apologize if this post is rambling!

TIA!

Re: Is this normal? Q re: my 9mo DS breathing...should I be worried?

DD does this - I think it is normal for them- as long as they are not having trouble breathing or struggling for breathe.

etd supposed to say NOT having trouble...

Message edited 5/29/2008 10:21:01 AM.

Re: Is this normal? Q re: my 9mo DS breathing...should I be worried?

Re: Is this normal? Q re: my 9mo DS breathing...should I be worried?

no one else?

Re: Is this normal? Q re: my 9mo DS breathing...should I be worried?

What you're describing sounds very typical for an infant (newborn age) and is prob common at that age as well, however def. ask about it. Does your DS have a cold? They will do this when stuffed up...Its harder to take in air through a stuffy nose so it comes in erraticly through the mouth...

If your DS seems like the sleep he is getting is solid and he is happy and alert most of the day i would think all is fine. But if you notice him being kind of lethargic and exhausted during the day it would be more worrisome I'd think.

Sorry, I know that prob doesn't help much but just offering my thoughts! Good luck and I really am sure all is ok!

Re: Is this normal? Q re: my 9mo DS breathing...should I be worried?

Found this for you as well: hope it can be of some help!!

Babies normally breathe 20 to 60 times a minute and sometimes stop breathing for 10 to 12 seconds. These breathing pauses are considered to be normal if the baby begins breathing again by himself and there is no change in the baby's skin color and no drop in heart rate. Babies may also have a breathing pattern in which they have a breathing pause and then breathe several rapid shallow breaths. This is called periodic breathing and is also considered to be normal. Pauses between breaths that are longer than 15 seconds or pauses that occur with a change in the baby's skin color and a drop in heart rate are not normal.