Baby Oxygen Level 88 While Sleeping ! Is it Something to Worry?
As parents, our top priority should be ensuring our babies’ wellbeing and safety. One crucial part of this is monitoring oxygen levels. At the same time, they sleep. here. We explore everything you need to know about this topic, such as causes, symptoms, and solutions to low oxygen saturation levels in baby sleepers.
Average oxygen saturation at 24 to 48 hours of age ranges between 92%-93%. It rarely changes with infant activity, remaining consistent throughout postnatal age. Achieve higher awake state saturation (93%-94%). In contrast, oxygen saturation during sleep remains constant or decreases slightly with postnatal age, at 24 months old. However, awake state oxygen saturation tends to rise to 93%-94% while sleeping states remain static or even decrease slightly, two standard deviations below the mean (84-86% based on quiet sleep of one and three-month-old babies, with other activities occurring between 88%-89% depending on infant activity during feeding at 24 48 hours old age, while 88%-89% being the lower limit in other activities at all ages.
Are oxygen saturation levels of 88 suitable for my baby?
A full-term, healthy baby’s ideal oxygen saturation level range should be 95-100%; preterm babies usually have lower oxygen saturation rates due to immature lungs; however, even preterm babies should have oxygen saturation levels exceeding 90%.
Understanding Oxygen Saturation
Oxygen saturation refers to the percentage of oxygen in your blood, expressed as a percentage. Normal levels for newborn babies should range between 95%-100%, and measuring it is an easy process that can be accomplished using a pulse oximeter.
Causes of Low Oxygen Saturation Levels in Babies
There can be various reasons for low oxygen saturation levels in babies, such as obstructive sleep apnea, upper respiratory tract infections, congenital heart disease, prematurity, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Awareness of these causes will help ensure adequate oxygen saturation levels during infancy and beyond. Therefore, we must be informed to help avoid possible low oxygen saturation levels in babies.
Location plays an integral part in oxygen levels. For example, living at higher altitudes typically leads to decreased baseline levels; knowing your baby’s baseline oxygen is one way to track their needs and monitor oxygen intake levels more effectively.
Monitoring your baby’s trends will give you the most reliable insight into their health and well-being.
What Can Lead to Changes in Baby’s Oxygen Levels?
Apnea in Healthy Babies Even healthy infants may experience periods where their breathing stops and starts, known as apnea. Apneas are most prevalent during the newborn period but typically decrease as your child ages, develop, and grows. Various types of apnea occur during this age, and all are entirely healthy and normal occurrences during this period.
Apnea causes your baby’s oxygen level to drop temporarily but usually recovers or rebounds to normal; as their brain and muscles develop further, apnea will decline. However, if the trend seems more like a rollercoaster than a consistent line with short dips, please immediately contact a pediatrician.
Infants are physiologically programmed to breathe through their nose until about 3-4 months old, meaning even minor nasal congestion can severely limit their breathing and oxygen levels. Here is where saline and bulb syringes can come to their rescue! A few saline drops in each nostril can help break up mucus to make suction more productive; it is truly amazing how many mucus-filled tiny button noses hold!
Humidifiers in their room may help open their nasal passages and make breathing easier for your baby when sick. However, you might notice their baseline oxygen level dropping below 89%; in such instances, it would be wise to reach out to a pediatrician as soon as possible.
Experts suggest returning to sleep and tummy-to-play positions to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and keep your baby safe. Yet, this recommendation only tells part of the story! Your baby’s airway is like a tiny straw that can become blocked quickly, making breathing difficult for your infant. Their head may also be too big relative to their tiny bodies for their necks to protect their airways fully. Thus, items such as incline sleep mats or baby sleeping pillows are not advised to be used instead of firm mattresses as protection of this nature cannot protect their airways adequately from becoming compromised over time.
Firm mattresses provide babies’ heads and necks with the support needed to ensure they sleep in a position that keeps their airways open, making breathing easier, regulating oxygen levels more effectively, and maintaining normal levels. When placing them for sleep on their backs, always lay them on their back. However, once they begin rolling over on their own, laying them either on their sides or stomachs may become preferential – this is perfectly safe!
Symptoms of Low Oxygen Saturation Levels in Babies
Common indicators of low oxygen saturation levels in babies include blue or pale skin, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, restlessness, poor feeding, and poor behavior. Parents must watch out for these symptoms and seek medical assistance should they continue.
Testing for Low Oxygen Saturation Levels in Babies
To test for low oxygen saturation levels in babies, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas testing, or chest X-ray may be conducted to establish their severity and provide guidance regarding treatment plans.
Risks Associated with Low Oxygen Saturation Levels in Babies
Left untreated, low oxygen saturation levels in babies can result in brain damage, developmental delays, and learning disabilities that will require medical treatment to heal fully. Therefore it is vital that any time you suspect your infant may be suffering from low oxygen saturation levels, you seek medical advice immediately.
Prevention of Low Oxygen Saturation Levels in Babies
To effectively avoid low oxygen saturation levels in babies, safe sleep practices, vaccinations, and creating an ideal home environment must be in place in addition to not smoking around babies.
Treatment Options for Babies with Low Oxygen Saturation Levels
Depending on the severity, babies suffering from low oxygen saturation levels may require oxygen therapy, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or surgery.
Monitoring Baby Oxygen Saturation Levels
Regularly monitoring infant oxygen saturation levels is crucial to detect and addressing low oxygen saturation levels. Home monitoring devices and regular doctor visits are excellent ways to monitor this baby’s oxygen intake.
Baby Oxygen Levels When Sleeping
It is especially essential to monitor baby oxygen levels while they sleep. Common causes of low oxygen levels during rest are obstructive sleep apnea and upper respiratory tract infections. Awareness of these causes and symptoms is essential in seeking medical help quickly.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If your baby exhibits symptoms of low oxygen saturation levels, medical assistance must be sought immediately. In emergency cases, seek immediate assistance.
Conclusion
Monitoring baby oxygen levels while sleeping is vital in maintaining their health and safety. Knowledge of causes, symptoms, and solutions related to low oxygen saturation levels will allow you to take proactive steps against this condition if detected in your infant. Should there be any signs or symptoms indicating low saturation levels, seek medical attention immediately, as this could have long-term implications.
