3.5 month old baby difficult in breathin

2025-11-15 10:31:09
My 3.5 month old baby had difficulty in breathing for 3-4 minutes in the night, baby starts grunting and crying and chest retractions are also happening. This has happened thrice in 7 days and only in the night around 3 or 4 am . I have immediately gone to hospital and got this checked, made video of chest retractions to show doctor. Doctor has checks her lungs and heart rate heartbeat and oxygen saturation, throat, everything is normal, she does not have cold and cough as well, she is active all day, takes feed well too, she has reflux though from the starting, she spits milk and it seems to increased now because of cold weather. Doctor had diagnosed that her nose gets blocked at night due to temperature drop in the night and that's why this is happening and have asked me to give naso clear daily and nasivion for 3 days and nebulizer for 3 days and says everything is normal with heart and lungs. Can you suggest if I should get further evaluation like chest x ray and echo?
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Better to upload vedio, I feel it’s ok , some babies particularly at 3-4 months develop grunting. Pooling of secretetions due to nasal passages development process .usually seen in many babies. As you know spitting is absolutely normal. at this age

Answered2025-11-20 09:35:34

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Hello I understand how scary it can be to see your baby grunt, cry, or have chest retractions at night. You have done the right thing by getting her examined immediately. Her lungs, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and overall examination are normal. She is active, feeding well, has no fever or cough, and her symptoms happen only at night — all of these point toward a benign, self-limiting cause, not a lung or heart disease. At this age, babies have very narrow nasal passages. During early morning hours (3–4 AM), due to temperature drop, the nose can get more congested. When the nose blocks: Baby breathes through the mouth Grunting/crying can occur Mild, brief chest retractions may be seen Reflux/spit-ups can worsen congestion too This is common in infants and usually NOT dangerous when the baby is otherwise normal in the daytime. Chest X-ray or Echocardiography is NOT required at this point. If there was any suspicion of heart/lung disease, the symptoms would be persistent day and night, and the doctor’s examination would not be normal.
Next Steps
Nasal saline drops (NasoClear) 2–3 drops in each nostril before sleep and again at 3–4 AM if needed. Steam in the room: Not direct steam to baby — just keep a steamer/humidifier running to keep air moist. Keep baby upright 20–30 mins after feeds- Helps reduce reflux-related congestion. Frequent burping after feeds. Keep the room comfortably warm; avoid cold air blowing directly.
Health Tips
Red flags: Continuous retractions (not just brief episodes) Poor feeding Bluish lips Lethargy or baby not waking for feeds Fast breathing continuously Fever or cough develops

Answered2025-11-15 13:39:56

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I totally understand your concern. Before suggesting treatment, I would like to ask a few questions to ensure the correct management can be provided. Contact me on Practo or WhatsApp chat. Contact number: 97012307 two nine Dr. G. Avinash MBBS, MD (Pediatrics) Fellowship in Neonatology

Answered2025-11-15 11:51:03

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I need to ask few more questions before answering your query. Early consultations can prevent complications. Kindly contact me on whatsapp chat (84960595sixfive) Dr Faisal Zoheb MBBS , MD PAEDIATRICS , PGPN (BOSTON), Neonatology fellow ( Newborn specialist )

Answered2025-11-15 11:40:28

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Consult with Pediatrician physically for further evaluation and treatment

Answered2025-11-27 05:15:36

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Yes do it

Answered2025-11-17 05:25:23

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Yes u can do

Answered2025-11-16 05:14:51

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