Normal Respiratory Rate for a 1 Year and 2 Month Old Child
For a 14-month-old child, the normal respiratory rate is below 40 breaths per minute, with a median around 31 breaths per minute, and the acceptable range is 20-40 breaths per minute. 1, 2
Age-Specific Normal Range
At 14 months of age (1 year and 2 months), your child falls into the 12-59 months age category where specific thresholds apply:
- Normal range: 20-40 breaths per minute 1, 2
- Median (50th percentile): approximately 31 breaths per minute 1, 2
- The respiratory rate at this age has already declined significantly from infancy, as the steepest drop occurs in the first 2 years of life 3
Critical Thresholds to Recognize
Tachypnea (Too Fast)
- ≥40 breaths per minute indicates tachypnea in children 12-59 months old, suggesting possible lower respiratory infection or respiratory distress 4, 1, 2
- Rates approaching or exceeding 60 breaths per minute warrant immediate clinical concern 1, 2
Bradypnea (Too Slow)
- <20 breaths per minute is an alarm sign requiring immediate medical attention, as it reflects risk of serious injury or impending respiratory failure 1, 2, 5
Measurement Best Practices
To obtain an accurate respiratory rate in your 14-month-old:
- Count for a full 60 seconds rather than shorter periods for the most accurate measurement 1, 2, 5
- Measure during sleep or quiet state when the child is calm and content, as this provides the most reliable baseline 1, 5
- Avoid measuring when crying or agitated, as crying and agitation significantly distort respiratory patterns and can artificially lower the measured rate 4, 1, 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Manual measurement can be imprecise with significant intra-observer variation, requiring focused concentration for the full minute 4, 1, 2
- Do not rely on brief observation periods—respiratory signs can be subtle and variable even during a single encounter 2
- Using inappropriate reference ranges leads to inaccurate tachypnea determination and misdiagnosis of conditions like pneumonia 4, 1, 2
- Remember that there is a broad range of "normal" even within the same age group, so context matters 6, 3