QOD: Is it normal for my newborn to stop breathing sometimes?
New parents can become concerned when they notice that their infant stops breathing for several seconds. This is a normal newborn reflex called periodic breathing.
Infants may pause for as long as 5-10 seconds, usually while sleeping, then breathe rapidly for the next several seconds. This is OK. This behavior occurs more often in babies born prematurely, but can also be seen in healthy full-term infants. If your infant’s pause in breathing is associated with a change in skin color, lasts longer than 10 seconds, or is followed by gasping breaths, call 911 immediately as this may be a sign of a serious illness.
Reviewed by Dr. Sara Connolly, July 2019
Periodic breathing can have 5-10 second pauses but nothing even close to a minute. If your baby is truly having longer pauses, then you need to contact your doctor.
What should we do when baby stops breathing ? Few sec/mins… my baby is a full term baby but it happens to him at times when he sleeps at night. Am scared of it