Why Does My Baby Have Pauses in Her Breathing?

Understanding Apnea of Prematurity: Why Does My Baby Sometimes “Forget” to Breathe?

If your baby was born early, you may have heard the term “apnea of prematurity.” It can be frightening to see your baby pause their breathing or to hear monitors alarm, but this is a very common and usually temporary part of being premature.

What Is Apnea of Prematurity?

“Apnea” means a pause in breathing. In preterm babies, apnea of prematurity refers to a pause in breathing that lasts for 20 seconds or longer, or a shorter pause that causes a drop in heart rate or oxygen level.

Why It Happens

In very simple terms, your baby’s brain is still maturing. The area in the brain that controls the rhythm of breathing — the “breathing center” — isn’t fully developed yet in preterm infants.Because of this immaturity, your baby may occasionally “forget” to breathe for a few seconds, especially during sleep. This doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your baby’s lungs or heart — it’s just that their nervous system needs a little more time to develop.

Types of Apnea

There are three main types doctors watch for:

• Central apnea: the brain temporarily doesn’t send the signal to breathe.

• Obstructive apnea: the airway briefly closes or becomes floppy, blocking airflow.

• Mixed apnea: a combination of both.

Most preterm babies experience the mixed type.

What the Care Team Does

In the NICU, your baby is closely monitored with equipment that tracks breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels.If your baby has an apnea episode, the monitors alarm so staff can respond right away — often just a gentle touch or repositioning helps your baby start breathing again.Some babies receive a medication called caffeine, which stimulates the brain and helps reduce apnea spells. This is safe, well-studied, and commonly used in preterm infants.

Will My Baby Grow Out of It?

Yes — apnea of prematurity almost always resolves on its own as your baby grows. The episodes typically stop once a baby reaches about 36–37 weeks corrected age, when their brain’s breathing control matures. Before discharge, your NICU team will make sure your baby has been free of significant apnea spells for several days.

In short: apnea of prematurity happens because your baby’s brain is still learning the rhythm of breathing. It’s common, closely monitored, and temporary. With time, growth, and gentle support, your baby will outgrow it completely.