Caption: Respiratory rate
Text: Sometimes it is difficult in the office to get a good assessment of the respiratory rate. If the infant is sleeping, gently uncover so as not to awaken the baby and count the respirations by observing the chest. Parents like to know when to worry about significant lung problems developing in their infant who may only have a cold. Show them how to check the respiratory rate, and ask them to check respirations when baby is asleep. If the rate is less than 30, an immediate visit to the doctor is not usually necessary, but rates over 40, and especially in the range of 50-60, indicate that baby is working to breathe.