What Is a Normal Heart Rate for a Sleeping Baby? Chart

What Is a Normal Heart Rate for a Sleeping Baby
Normal heart rates for a sleeping baby range between 65-100 beats per minute, depending on their age. Heart rate is slower when they are asleep

Normal heart rates for a sleeping baby range between 65-100 beats per minute, depending on their age.

Similar to adults, a baby’s heart rate varies depending on their activities, often slower during sleep and faster when awake. However, if you find that the baby's heart rate is lower during the day and they are looking lethargic, it is important to contact your pediatrician right away.

A baby’s heart rate is typically much higher than that of an adult. As babies grow, their heart rate slows. You can check your baby’s heart rate by pressing your fingers gently on their wrist, backside of the elbow, or side of the neck. You can also hold your palm over your baby’s beating heart. Count beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4. This gives your baby’s heart rate in beats per minute.

Table: Normal heart rates of a baby when asleep and awake Age Sleeping heart rate (in beats per minute) Awake heart rate (in beats per minute)

Newborn
90 to 160
100 to 205

Infant
90 to 160
100 to 180

1 to 2 years
80 to 120
98 to 140

3 to 5 years
65 to 100
80 to 120

What are different types of abnormal heart rates?

Sometimes, your baby may develop abnormal heart rates or heart rhythms. These include:

  • Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
    • Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
    • Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
  • Bradycardia (slowed heart rate)

Infants with abnormal heart rhythms may seem fussy, pale, and have low energy levels and problems with feeding.

Supraventricular tachycardia

SVT, also referred to as atrial tachycardia in some cases, is the most common abnormal heart rhythm found in children, including babies. It affects as many as 1 in 250 children. 

SVT occurs when abnormal electrical signals originate in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart, which raises heart rate suddenly and last several seconds, minutes, or hours. Different types and causes of SVT include:

If your baby is affected by atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, they are at increased risk of developing blood clots. Much less common than other types of SVT, these may also be associated with congenital heart abnormalities or heart muscle disorders such as cardiomyopathy.

Ventricular tachycardia

Like SVT, VT also causes fast heartbeats. However, the problem originates in the lower chambers (ventricles), not the atria. VT is rare but increases the risk of cardiac arrest in babies, which can be life-threatening.

Bradycardia

  • Sinus bradycardia. Seen more often in premature infants and may occur due to a drop in body temperature or breathing problems.
  • Heart block. Caused by an obstruction in the passing of electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.

How are abnormal heart rates or heart rhythms treated in babies?

Your pediatrician may refer your baby to a pediatric cardiologist, who will evaluate your baby’s heart rate or rhythm abnormalities and recommend treatment accordingly. Treatment options may include:

  • Anti-arrhythmic drugs: Medications to correct the heart rhythm
  • Pacemakers: Small implanted device that sends electrical signals to speed up the heartbeat if it has slowed
  • Defibrillators: Small implanted device that sends electrical signals to slow down the heart if it is fast and also corrects abnormal heart rhythm
  • Catheter ablation: Heating or freezing of the defective area by passing a catheter into the heart through a vein in the leg or neck
  • Surgery: Removal of the heart tissue responsible for the abnormal heartbeats or heart rhythm

Check Also

Fresh Frozen Plasma: Transfusion Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage

Generic Name: fresh frozen plasma Brand and Other Names: FFP, Octaplas Drug Class: Blood Components What is fresh frozen plasma, and what is it used for? Plasma is the liquid component of blood, the medium that keeps blood flowing. Plasma is a straw-colored fluid that remains when all the blood cells including red blood cells, …

What Is a Normal Heart Rate for a Sleeping Baby? Chart

What Is a Normal Heart Rate for a Sleeping Baby
Normal heart rates for a sleeping baby range between 65-100 beats per minute, depending on their age. Heart rate is slower when they are asleep

Normal heart rates for a sleeping baby range between 65-100 beats per minute, depending on their age.

Similar to adults, a baby’s heart rate varies depending on their activities, often slower during sleep and faster when awake. However, if you find that the baby's heart rate is lower during the day and they are looking lethargic, it is important to contact your pediatrician right away.

A baby’s heart rate is typically much higher than that of an adult. As babies grow, their heart rate slows. You can check your baby’s heart rate by pressing your fingers gently on their wrist, backside of the elbow, or side of the neck. You can also hold your palm over your baby’s beating heart. Count beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4. This gives your baby’s heart rate in beats per minute.

Table: Normal heart rates of a baby when asleep and awake Age Sleeping heart rate (in beats per minute) Awake heart rate (in beats per minute)

Newborn
90 to 160
100 to 205

Infant
90 to 160
100 to 180

1 to 2 years
80 to 120
98 to 140

3 to 5 years
65 to 100
80 to 120

What are different types of abnormal heart rates?

Sometimes, your baby may develop abnormal heart rates or heart rhythms. These include:

  • Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
    • Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
    • Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
  • Bradycardia (slowed heart rate)

Infants with abnormal heart rhythms may seem fussy, pale, and have low energy levels and problems with feeding.

Supraventricular tachycardia

SVT, also referred to as atrial tachycardia in some cases, is the most common abnormal heart rhythm found in children, including babies. It affects as many as 1 in 250 children. 

SVT occurs when abnormal electrical signals originate in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart, which raises heart rate suddenly and last several seconds, minutes, or hours. Different types and causes of SVT include:

If your baby is affected by atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, they are at increased risk of developing blood clots. Much less common than other types of SVT, these may also be associated with congenital heart abnormalities or heart muscle disorders such as cardiomyopathy.

Ventricular tachycardia

Like SVT, VT also causes fast heartbeats. However, the problem originates in the lower chambers (ventricles), not the atria. VT is rare but increases the risk of cardiac arrest in babies, which can be life-threatening.

Bradycardia

  • Sinus bradycardia. Seen more often in premature infants and may occur due to a drop in body temperature or breathing problems.
  • Heart block. Caused by an obstruction in the passing of electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.

How are abnormal heart rates or heart rhythms treated in babies?

Your pediatrician may refer your baby to a pediatric cardiologist, who will evaluate your baby’s heart rate or rhythm abnormalities and recommend treatment accordingly. Treatment options may include:

  • Anti-arrhythmic drugs: Medications to correct the heart rhythm
  • Pacemakers: Small implanted device that sends electrical signals to speed up the heartbeat if it has slowed
  • Defibrillators: Small implanted device that sends electrical signals to slow down the heart if it is fast and also corrects abnormal heart rhythm
  • Catheter ablation: Heating or freezing of the defective area by passing a catheter into the heart through a vein in the leg or neck
  • Surgery: Removal of the heart tissue responsible for the abnormal heartbeats or heart rhythm

Check Also

강남 셔츠룸 서울부장

강남 셔츠룸 매정한 나라에요 ㅋㅋㅋ 신규오픈 매장으로 설치 물품들이 많습니다. 역시 시부야 아니랄까봐 우리 나라 정서가 두 들겨야 흥이 더 나는듯 합니다. 아직 소버일때 우리 여자 예쁘니 직원들이랑 사진찍고 놀기  5~2배 정도 들었던것같아요 일환이었던 월성 원전 1호기 조기폐쇄에 대한 감사는 수위 조절이 실패해서 포기 햇엇드랫죠;; 대량 매출 가능한 입지라 확신합니다. 게임센터 규모도 장난 아니더라구요 차량…

Leave a Reply