It can be scary to witness a baby gasp, snort while sleeping, or experience non-breathing pauses. Breathing may be short and irregular in young infants, which is normal, but repeated or prolonged pauses may be indicative of sleep apnea. If breathing problems continue and are not treated, they can affect oxygen levels and put strain on the baby’s heart and development.
If you have any ongoing or worrisome symptoms, please consult a doctor.
Sleep Apnea in babies?
When a person sleeps, the condition of sleep apnea leads to repeated cessation and onset of breathing. In an infant, the pauses may last several seconds and may lower the oxygen level or slow the heart.
A baby might turn pale, limp or slightly blue around the lips during an episode. Some of the forms are known to everyone, while others are silent and hardly detected without medical monitoring.
There are two types of sleep apnea, namely:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
That occurs when a blockage prevents airflow during sleep. Infants suffering from OSA attempt to breathe, but the flow of air is restricted either due to the relaxation of throat muscles or the narrowing of the airways.
Parents may notice snoring, choking, or gasping sounds. Treatment may depend on the cause and is guided by a pediatric specialist.
Central Sleep Apnea
Occurs when the brain fails to consistently signal the body to breathe. The baby doesn’t attempt to breathe during the cessation, unlike OSA, where there are blockages.
Premature babies are more likely to have this type because the area of their brain that controls breathing is still immature. Some medical conditions and medications can cause the same thing.
Mixed Sleep Apnoea
A combination of obstructive apnoea and central apnoea occurs in mixed sleep apnoea. It is commonly found in premature babies and is also associated with respiratory infections. Occasionally, the baby may seem to pause before gasping or making noise.
Continued observation of the baby is necessary.
Also Read: Dangers of Co-Sleeping With Your Infant
Signs you should seek medical attention
- If your baby’s breathing pauses for over ten seconds.
- If they gasp or choke repeatedly.
- If they breathe quickly with sudden stoppages, seek medical help urgently.
- If your baby looks pale, floppy, or slightly bluish around the lips.
- Snoring sounds that occur all the time should always be investigated by a doctor.
While occasional irregular breathing can be normal in young infants, frequent or prolonged episodes need medical review.
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