Retractions: When Your Baby Is Working Harder to Breathe
What Are Retractions?
Retractions happen when the soft skin around your baby’s chest pulls inward with each breath. They can be a sign that your baby is using extra effort to breathe.
Because premature and newborn babies have soft, flexible chest walls, retractions can sometimes be easier to see than they are in older children and adults.
What Do Retractions Look Like?
You may notice the skin pulling inward:
Between the ribs — called intercostal retractions
Below the ribs — called subcostal retractions
Above the breastbone or near the neck — called suprasternal retractions
Your baby's NICU team watches both where the retractions occur and how pronounced they are when assessing breathing effort.
What Else Does the NICU Team Look For?
Retractions are only one part of your baby's respiratory assessment. The care team may also look for:
Fast breathing
Grunting
Nasal flaring
Changes in oxygen saturation
Changes in oxygen or respiratory-support needs
Your baby's normal breathing pattern and overall condition are also important.
What Should Parents Know?
Seeing your baby's chest pull inward can be concerning, but the NICU team routinely monitors your baby's breathing effort.
If you notice that your baby seems to be working harder to breathe or looks different from usual, tell your baby's nurse or care team. Parents often notice subtle changes because they spend so much time watching and learning their baby's patterns.
Related Terms
Tachypnea
Grunting & Nasal Flaring
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
