Does your little one hold his breath? Let's talk about Periodic Breathing!

The joy of becoming a new mother or father is indescribable, isn't it? But at the same time, there's also a little fear. Especially at night, when you watch your baby sleep, watching that little chest rise and fall, you feel incredibly relieved. But suddenly, you notice that your baby has stopped breathing for a few seconds. At that moment, your heart skips a beat, doesn't it? "Oh my God, what just happened?" You think. Then the baby starts breathing a little faster again, as if nothing had happened. Have you had this experience too? Then don't be afraid. Today we're talking about this catching of breath that many new parents fear, but is often a normal thing.

Simply put, what is Periodic Breathing?

Periodic breathing is a very common breathing pattern in newborns. Simply put, it's when your baby stops breathing for very short periods of time, like 5 to 10 seconds, between each breath. After that, the baby starts breathing again on his own.

But after this breathing stops and then starts again, the breathing may be a little faster than normal. In medicine, we call this `(Tachypnea)`.

Think of it this way. Your baby will breathe for a while, then hold his breath for a few seconds, then breathe a little faster again. This cycle may happen three or four times in a row. Then the baby will start breathing normally again in the same rhythm. This usually happens when the baby is sleeping soundly.

Until what age is this normal?

We consider this condition called periodic breathing to be normal until the baby is about 6 months old. It is especially common between 2 and 4 weeks after birth.

But if your baby continues to breathe this way after he is 6 months old, it is very important to talk to your doctor about it.

Could this be dangerous then?

Most of the time, no. But very rarely, that is, with a very low probability, this condition can be a little more serious. Usually, this breathing problem is temporary, and the baby breathes normally again.

But, imagine that this breathing cycle continues, taking longer than expected. Then the baby's body may not be able to get the amount of oxygen it needs.

When the body does not get the amount of oxygen it needs, the oxygen level in the blood drops. We call this `(Hypoxemia)`.This is a very dangerous condition and requires immediate medical attention.

Let's know the exact difference between Periodic Breathing and Apnea.

As parents, you are most afraid of this condition being the dangerous condition called "Apnea". There is a clear difference between the two. Once you understand that difference, your fear will go away to a great extent. Let's look at it this way to understand it easily.

`Apnea` is a medical condition that must be diagnosed by a doctor. It can have various causes. It can be caused by infections, metabolic disorders, etc. Especially, this condition can occur in babies born before the due date. We call it `(Apnea of ​​prematurity)`. The reason for this is that the parts of the body that control the baby's breathing are not yet fully developed.

But periodic breathing is a common occurrence in healthy babies. It can occur in both full-term and premature babies. So, don't be afraid of apnea and worry unnecessarily about periodic breathing.

Red Flags that require immediate attention

We now know that most of the time, periodic breathing is nothing to worry about. However, as a parent, it is essential to know when we need to take immediate action. If your baby shows any of the following symptoms, take him to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) without delay. Or call the 1990 ambulance service.

• If breathing stops for more than 10 seconds: As we said, breathing usually stops for 5-10 seconds. Anything longer, especially closer to 20 seconds or even longer, is dangerous.
• If the baby's skin and lips change color: This is the most important sign. This happens when the oxygen level in the blood decreases.
• Babies with fair skin may have their lips, tongue, and fingertips turn blue or purple .
• This bluish discoloration may not be obvious in babies with slightly pale skin. In such cases, look carefully for gray, yellow-gray, or pale discoloration of the lips, gums, and under the eyes .
• If you can't wake your baby up: If you gently tap and talk to your baby when he's not breathing, but he doesn't respond, or if he suddenly appears lifeless, that's a dangerous sign.

Trust your gut.

As new parents, you are very concerned about every little thing about your baby. It's very normal. After a while, you will get a good understanding of your baby's normal behavior, normal breathing patterns.

If you ever notice something strange or different in your baby's breathing, don't just sit there thinking, "This must be normal." If you have any doubts, even if they are small, call your doctor right away. It's never a bad idea to call a doctor and get advice. There are no stupid questions when it comes to your baby's health.

Doctors expect newborns to have slightly irregular breathing patterns. But at home, it can be hard to tell if what you're seeing is normal or not. So, if you have any concerns, don't hesitate to seek help.