From the Research
Abdominal breathing is a normal and expected breathing pattern in 5-month-old infants, as they naturally breathe primarily using their diaphragm, causing their abdomen to rise and fall with each breath. At this age, babies' respiratory muscles are still developing, and their breathing pattern is efficient and healthy. You should observe your baby's abdomen gently rising when they inhale and falling when they exhale. The normal respiratory rate for a 5-month-old is between 20-40 breaths per minute when they are calm and resting 1. If you notice your baby breathing significantly faster than this, showing signs of respiratory distress (such as grunting, flaring nostrils, or retractions between or below the ribs), or if their breathing seems labored, you should contact your pediatrician immediately, as these could be signs of respiratory illness. Some key points to consider when assessing a 5-month-old infant's breathing include:
- Monitoring for signs of respiratory distress, such as tachypnea, grunting, retractions, nasal flaring, and cyanosis 2
- Being aware of common causes of respiratory distress in newborns and infants, including transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia, sepsis, pneumothorax, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn 2
- Understanding that abdominal breathing is a normal and healthy breathing pattern in infants, and that it remains an important component of healthy respiration throughout life 1. It's essential to prioritize the infant's morbidity, mortality, and quality of life when assessing their breathing pattern, and to seek medical attention if any concerns arise.