First Aid & Emergencies

Breathing Problems in Children

• Is gasping for breath
• Can't cry or talk because of breathing trouble
• Grunts when breathing
• Has blue lips
• May have a small object caught in her throat
• Is breathing very fast (this is also a symptom of fever)
• Looks very sick

Breathing problems are common in young children, but in some cases they can be serious. 

Call the Doctor If Your Child:

Call the doctor if:

• Is younger than 1 year old and still has trouble breathing after you cleaned out her nose
• Has bronchiolitis or a reactive airways disease episode
• Has trouble breathing or is breathing very fast when not coughing
• Has severe coughing attacks or continuous coughing
• Is wheezing  or making a high-pitched whistle sound when breathing out or in
• Can't take a deep breath because of chest pain or coughed-up blood
• Has a fever that persists
• Flares her nostrils or draws in her chest muscles to breathe
• Is sluggish
• Is vomiting and can't keep fluids down
• Has a cold that gets worse quickly

1. Prevent Dehydration

• Give babies plenty of breast milk or formula.
• Give older children water or juice mixed with water.
• Children may eat more slowly because of breathing problems, so give them plenty of time.

2. Relieve Congestion

• Thin mucus in a stuffy nose with saline nose drops.
• Remove mucus from a baby's nose with a suction bulb.

3. Ease Breathing

• Use a cool-mist humidifier near the child to add moisture to the air.
• Sit in the bathroom with a hot shower running and have your child breathe in the steam.

4. Make the Child Comfortable

• Let the child rest.
• Give children's-formula acetaminophen (Tylenol) to bring down a fever.
• Keep the child away from cigarette smoke.