Pikin wey dey struggle to breathe; Wetin you fit do.
Read in: English | Pidgin English
Published on April 15, 2026 at 8:43β―PM
π©Ί Medically reviewed by the Health Decoded Guide Editorial Team· Last reviewed: July 2026
π Quick Breakdown
If your pikin dey struggle to breathe, e no always mean say na asthma.
Different illnesses fit make breathing become difficult, and some need urgent treatment.
ππΎ One of the most important things parents fit notice no be cough—it na how the pikin dey breathe.
π§ How normal breathing suppose be?
Most children breathe faster than adults, especially babies.
But even if breathing fast, e suppose still look easy.
The chest no suppose dey struggle too much, and the pikin no suppose dey look like say every breath hard.
If breathing begin require plenty effort, na sign say something fit dey stop enough air from entering the lungs.
ππΎ Sometimes the body go first manage the problem well, before the pikin suddenly begin get worse.
π§ Wetin fit make breathing hard?
Plenty different conditions fit cause am.
Some common ones include:
• common cold
→ blocked nose fit make babies find breathing difficult, especially during feeding.
• bronchiolitis
→ small breathing tubes for the lungs swell and fill with mucus.
• asthma or wheezing
→ the airways become narrow, making air difficult to pass.
• pneumonia
→ infection inside the lungs fit reduce the amount of oxygen wey enter the body.
• croup
→ swelling around the voice box fit cause noisy breathing and barking cough.
• choking
→ food or small object fit suddenly block the airway.
• severe allergic reaction
→ swelling fit quickly block normal breathing.
ππΎ The cause fit change, but the warning signs of serious breathing problems often resemble each other.
π§ How you fit know say breathing don become serious?
No just listen to d cough. Watch the whole child.
You fit notice:
• breathing very fast
• chest or neck dey pull inside with every breath
• nostrils dey open wide each time e breathe
• loud wheezing or strange breathing sound
• baby no fit suck breast or bottle well because e dey struggle to breathe
• older pikin no fit complete sentence because of breathlessness
• pikin become unusually quiet or weak
• lips or tongue begin turn blue, grey or very pale
ππΎ If your pikin dey use d chest, neck and tummy to force every breath, the body don dey work extra hard.
π§ Wetin parents fit do first?
If your pikin dey struggle to breathe:
• stay calm
→ panic fit make d child panic too.
• allow d child to sit upright if e dey comfortable
→ this fit make breathing easier.
• loosen tight clothing around d neck
→ anything wey fit reduce discomfort may help.
• continue asthma inhaler if doctor don already prescribe am
→ follow the asthma action plan if you get one.
• for babies with blocked nose
→ saline nose drops fit help before feeding if healthcare professional don recommend am.
No force the child chop if breathing difficult.
ππΎ If breathing dey get worse, no waste time trying different home remedies.
π§ Real Life Example
Baby Tobi get ordinary catarrh for two days.
Mama think say e go soon pass.
That night she notice say:
• d baby dey breathe very fast
• chest dey pull inside
• e no fit breastfeed well again
She quickly carry am go hospital.
Doctor confirm bronchiolitis and baby receive treatment before d breathing become more serious.
ππΎ Sometimes na d way pikin dey breathe—not the fever—go show say hospital care don become necessary.
π§ When you suppose rush go hospital π¨
Go hospital immediately if your pikin:
• dey seriously struggle to breathe
• lips, tongue or face turn blue or grey
• chest dey pull deeply inside with every breath
• no fit talk, cry or feed because of breathlessness
• become very sleepy or difficult to wake
• stop breathing, even for short time
• choke on food or small object and no fit breathe properly
• get breathing difficulty after bee sting, medicine or food allergy
ππΎ These signs fit mean say the body no dey get enough oxygen. Quick treatment fit save life.
π§ Final reassurance
Plenty breathing problems for children fit improve with d correct treatment.
But because children fit become seriously ill within a short time, e better make doctor examine any child wey dey clearly struggle to breathe.
ππΎ As a parent, trust your instincts. If your pikin breathing no look normal, no be overreaction to seek medical help.
π Reference
For full medical references, see the English version of this article.
β οΈ Disclaimer
This article na for education only.
E no replace advice from doctor.
If your pikin get breathing problem, abeg go hospital immediately.
πRelated Health Topics
• Wheezing
• Fever for pikin
• Cough
• Fever
• Asthma
ππ½ If you still get questions or prefer full medical detail? Read English version