// 845.371.2222 WEEK 1 Dr. Hirsch’s Answer: As the Winter Season approach and the weather turns colder, we see more children with colds and other respiratory illnesses. Most of the time these are mild, but sometimes breathing can become a concern. The key thing to watch for is called "work of breathing", in simple terms, how hard your child’s body is working to take each breath. Ask yourself: are they breathing comfortably, or are they using extra effort? Signs of extra effort include the belly moving in and out with each breath, or the skin between the collarbones pulling in when they inhale. If this happens once in a while, it may be normal for a baby or young child. But if it happens with every breath, that is a warning sign. Another worrisome sign to look for is the respiratory rate — how quickly your child is breathing. Normal breathing rates vary a lot by age, but if your child looks like they’re breathing much faster than usual, it’s important to have them checked. For parents who like numbers, here are the cutoffs: • Newborn to 2 months: under 70 breaths per minute • 2 to 6 months: under 60 • 6 to 12 months: under 50 • 1 to 2 years: under 40 • 2 to 3 years: under 34 • 4 to 5 years: under 30 • 6 to 12 years: under 26 • Over 12 years: under 23 • Adults: about 20 breaths per minute or less. The last thing to look for is noisy breathing. For younger children, try using a suctioning device, like a NoseFrida or electronic nasal aspirator, to clear the nose. Sometimes that alone makes a big difference. If there’s no change after suctioning, it’s important to have your child seen by a pediatrician or another medical professional. How do I know when a cold is just a cold? At what point should I be worried about my child’s breathing, and what can I do to prevent it from getting worse? __ K. Weiss בעזרת השם יתברך 845.579.5700 | Levfamilyhealth.com | Evergreen Uptown Mall 1581 US-202, Pomona, NY 10970 Claim your free Baby Book now! call, text or email 845.579.5700 books@ levfamilyhealth.com We’re excited to launch a new weekly column with Dr. Shari Hirsch, pediatrician and lactation specialist at Lev Pediatric Care. Each week, Dr. Hirsch will answer one of the most common questions parents bring into her office. The goal is simple: give you clear, practical answers you can trust, right when you need them most. This Week’s Question Ask@levfamilyhealth.com Send your question to Weekly Q&A with Dr. Shari Hirsch, Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist at Lev Pediatric Care 75
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