Noisy Breathing in Young Children and Babies

Persistent noisy breathing in children and babies may be caused by a number of different things. Some are more serious than others. Noisy breathing is NOT normal and generally indicates a problem with your kids health. You should take them to the doctor (or call an ambulance if it is an emergency). I have out lined the main causes of noisy breathing in children and babies.

Croup

Croup is inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and is normally caused by a virus. It is characterised by noisy breathing. When the child breaths in they make a squeaky sound. Sometimes the child makes the same noise when breathing out. There is often a cough that sounds like a seal barking. It is often preceded by a fever and a runny nose. Croup is easily treated with a dose of steroids. It is normally quite mild and often only needs one dose of steroids. Sometimes it is more severe and needs more aggressive treatment.

What to do if your Child has Croup.

If you think your child has croup, take them to the doctor so they can be given a dose of steroids. If you think they have serious croup, take them to hospital.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a nasty illness that is now quite rare thanks to our vaccination program. The vaccine is given at 2, 3 and 4 months so it is possible to get it if you are very little, or haven’t been vaccinated. It begins like a cold and a cough but gradually gets worse and worse resulting in spasms of coughing. Your child may vomit after coughing so much. The cough may sound a bit like a ‘whoop’. It is known as the ‘100 days illness’ as it goes on for so long (10-12 weeks).

What to do if your Child has Whooping Cough.

If you think your child has whooping cough, take them to the doctor. If you think they are having problems breathing, turning blue or having pauses in their breathing, call an ambulance.

Acute Epiglottitis

Acute epiglottitis is a very serious cause of noisy breathing. It is a bacterial infection called acute epiglottitis. It is now very rare due to the routine immunisation against the bacteria that causes it (Haemophilus influenzae type B). The vaccine is called the Hib vaccine and is given at 2, 3 and 4 months old. It is a life-threatening illness and most common in children aged 1 - 6. Typically a child is very unwell with a high fever, they drool a lot as they are unable to swallow their saliva. They have breathing difficulties and noisy breathing when breathing in. If you are concerned that your child has acute epiglottitis, call an ambulance or take them to hospital straight away.

Asthma

Asthma is a very common childhood illness. It is possible to have it as a baby, but it is rare. It normally develops after infancy.

It produces symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Most children with asthma have mild asthma but many have more severe asthma. Every year, children sadly die from asthma. If you are worried that your child has asthma, go and talk to your doctor. It is important for you to understand how to manage asthma so it’s a good idea to find an asthma clinic that can teach you what you need to know.

See Also: Breathing Problems in Babies

Signs of Serious Illness

Noisy Breathing Emergency!

If your child has noisy breathing and has ANY of the following call an ambulance:

• Has a very high temperature and looks very unwell
• Is sitting very upright and drooling a lot
• Has noisy breathing when breathing in AND out
• Looks blue
• Is drowsy and unresponsive
• Is irritable
• Has pauses in their breathing
• The problem came on very suddenly, this may be due to choking or anaphylaxis.

Remember, if you are concerned, it’s better to go to the doctor and feel like a numpty than to sit at home worrying!