Chesty Baby

by Karen
(South Africa)

My baby is 8 weeks. Ever since she has been born, she has had a heavy chest. It sounds like wheezing. I have been to the doctor but nothing has cleared it. Please help.

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Baby Help Line:

Possible Reasons For Wheezing In Baby

While normal baby breathing may sound strange to your ear sometimes and be interpreted as wheezing, an airway blockage due to infection may also be causing these sounds.

The blockage may be on any level from nostrills to larynx, to bronchi, and the sound would be different for each one. The doctor will certainly be able to differentate normal breathing from persistent cold or bronchites.

Wheezing is generally produced when a part of the respiratory airway is narrowed or obstructed.

Heavy breathing, wheezing etc. doesn't have to be a reason to worry about, unless it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or fast breathing rate. It your baby has one of these symptoms or he/she is not feeding well or has low energy levels a pediatrician should examine your baby.

Wheezing in babies can be caused by different health conditions. One reason, if it is a raspy sound, could be an uncommon condition called tracheomalacia, in which the tissues of the trachea are soft and flexible, causing tracheal collapse. The collapse of trachea produces airflow obstruction and wheezing.

Tracheomalacia is usually a benign condition and that does not need any treatment. In most of the cases the symptoms disappear by 3 years of age, but a doctor of course needs to make the diagnosis.

Obstruction of respiratory airways is babies may also be caused by viral or bacterial infections.

Wheezing caused by infections is preceded by an incubation period of 2 to 5 days. During this period the baby is not feeding well and has fever.

In general, infections are self-limited and resolve within 3 to 5 days, the most important thing is that you keep your baby well hydrated. However, if you observe nasal flaring, abnormal movements of the thorax, or if your baby is grunting, does not want to feed or has more than 60 breaths per minute, it is recommended that a doctor examines your baby.

In any case, even it turns out to only be a cold that is going to be resolved by itself, I really think you should contact another pediatrician to get a second opinion.

I hope your baby s better soon and that this information helps you with your next step.

Paula

(Answer approved by our Medical Reference Team)

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