Do newborns breathe abdominally or thoracically?
Oct 12, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Newborns primarily use abdominal breathing. After birth, due to limited chest movement and underdeveloped respiratory muscles, newborns mainly rely on abdominal breathing. As the child grows older, the diaphragm gradually descends, the ribs change from a horizontal to an oblique position, and the thoracic cavity volume slowly increases. At this stage, breathing gradually shifts to thoraco-abdominal breathing.
Newborns, due to their recent birth, have organs that are not yet fully developed and typically breathe primarily using abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing.
After birth, newborns mainly rely on abdominal breathing because their chest movements are limited and their respiratory muscles are underdeveloped. As they grow older, their bodies gradually develop: the diaphragm descends less, the ribs shift from a horizontal to a more oblique position, and the thoracic cavity volume increases progressively. At this stage, breathing gradually transitions to a combined thoraco-abdominal pattern. Some newborns prefer sleeping in a prone position, which is associated with abdominal breathing and may promote respiratory system development. However, parents should closely monitor their baby's breathing during prone sleep to prevent the risk of suffocation.
If significant abdominal movement or pronounced belly起伏 is observed, it could be caused by nasal congestion or a cold. In such cases, it is important to seek timely evaluation and treatment at a reputable medical facility under the guidance of a qualified physician to avoid delayed diagnosis and potential adverse effects on the newborn’s health and development.
