Rapid Breathing in Children 0–5: Symptoms & What to Do

What is rapid breathing?

Rapid breathing — also called tachypnea — means your child is breathing faster than what’s normal for their age, even while calm and at rest. It’s one of the body’s earliest signs of illness or breathing difficulty, and it can show up before other symptoms do. Rapid breathing can be caused by a cold, RSV, pneumonia, asthma, fever, or other illness affecting the lungs or airways.

Fast breathing on its own — even without cough, wheezing, or fever — always warrants attention. It’s one of the more reliable signs that a young child’s body is working harder than it should be.

Why breathing rate matters more in young children

Infants and toddlers can’t tell you they’re struggling to breathe, and their chest movements can be subtle. Counting breaths is one of the simplest, most objective things a parent can do at home — it doesn’t require any equipment, and it gives your child’s provider a concrete number rather than a general impression.

Normal Breathing Rates by Age

How to count your child’s breathing rate

• Count when your child is calm and at rest — not crying, feeding, or actively moving around
• Watch the belly or chest rise and fall — one full rise-and-fall is one breath
• Count for a full 60 seconds for the most accurate number, rather than estimating from a shorter count
• Count it three times — if you get a similar number each time, that count is reliable
• Note the time you counted, since breathing rate can change quickly with illness

Other signs to watch alongside breathing rate

• Chest retractions: skin pulling in between the ribs, under the ribs, or at the throat with each breath
• Nostril flaring: the nostrils widening with each breath
• Grunting: a short grunting sound at the end of each breath
• Color: any blue or gray color around the lips or fingertips
• Activity and feeding: whether your child is feeding, playing, or interacting normally, or seems unusually tired or withdrawn

What You Can Do

• Stay calm: your child will often mirror your reaction, and a calmer child breathes more easily
• Keep your child upright: sitting up, rather than lying flat, can make breathing easier
• Recount periodically: repeat the breathing count every hour or so if your child seems unwell, and log each count
• Record a short video: if you notice retractions or fast breathing, a short MamaBear video of your child’s chest is often more useful to a provider than a description alone

If you’re ever unsure what you’re seeing, it’s always reasonable to call your provider or send a video through MamaBear — trust your instincts, especially with a young child who can’t tell you how they feel.