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Bronchiolitis
Overview
Bronchiolitis is a viral infection of the small airways, most often affecting babies during colder months. Symptoms may begin like a cold before breathing becomes noisier or faster.
Babies develop rapidly, and the same condition can look different from one child to another. This guide supports informed conversations with a health professional; it cannot diagnose a baby or replace individual care.
Signs and symptoms
A runny nose, cough, wheeze or crackling breathing, reduced feeding and irritability are common. Very young babies may have pauses in breathing.
Parents know their baby best. A change in feeding, alertness, breathing, colour, temperature or wet nappies can be as important as one isolated sign, especially in the newborn period.
Causes
Respiratory syncytial virus is a frequent cause, but several viruses can produce the same illness.
Risk factors
Risk depends on the condition. Prematurity, a difficult birth, infection exposure, feeding difficulties, family history or another medical condition may matter, but many affected babies have no obvious risk factor. Risk factors do not confirm a diagnosis.
Diagnosis
Clinicians assess breathing effort, oxygen level, hydration and age. Tests are not always necessary in an otherwise typical case.
A clinician may review pregnancy and birth history, feeding, growth and symptom timing before examining the baby. Tests are chosen only when the history or examination suggests they will help.
Treatment options
Care is supportive: small frequent feeds, nasal saline where advised and close observation. Hospital care may provide oxygen, fluids or feeding support.
Medicines, specialised feeds, procedures or monitoring should be used only on advice from the baby’s healthcare team. Never give a newborn over-the-counter medicine unless a qualified professional has confirmed the product and dose.
Home care
Keep a simple record of feeds, wet and dirty nappies, sleep, temperature when advised, and changes in symptoms. Follow safer-sleep guidance, wash hands before baby care, attend follow-up appointments and ask for help if feeding is painful or ineffective.
Prevention
Not every condition can be prevented. Antenatal care, recommended newborn screening, smoke-free surroundings, good hand hygiene, safe preparation of feeds, scheduled immunisation and prompt assessment of an unwell baby can reduce avoidable harm.
Possible complications
Most mild newborn problems improve without lasting effects, while some conditions need prompt treatment to protect feeding, growth, breathing, hearing or development. The healthcare team can explain the outlook for the individual baby and arrange follow-up when needed.
When to seek urgent medical care
Seek emergency help for pauses in breathing, blue or grey colour, severe chest recession, exhaustion, or a baby who cannot feed. Young infants with fever need prompt assessment.
Seek urgent help for a baby who is difficult to wake, unusually floppy, struggling to breathe, turning blue or very pale, having a seizure, repeatedly vomiting green fluid, feeding much less, or producing notably fewer wet nappies. A fever or abnormally low temperature in a young baby needs prompt professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is this my fault?
No. Newborn conditions usually arise from development, feeding, infection, birth-related factors or causes outside a parent’s control.
Can I continue feeding my baby?
Often yes, but the safest plan depends on the condition and how well the baby feeds. Ask promptly if feeds are tiring, painful, repeatedly vomited or much shorter than usual.
When should I arrange follow-up?
Use the timeframe given by the maternity, neonatal or primary-care team. Arrange an earlier review if symptoms worsen, feeding changes, growth is a concern or you remain worried.
Summary
Most babies recover with supportive care, but breathing and hydration must be watched carefully. Early assessment is especially important in young babies because they can become unwell quickly.
References
OUR REVIEW PROMISE
Evidence-based, clearly reviewed.
Healthier Baby Today articles are reviewed for accuracy and updated as guidance changes.
Last updated: July 17, 2026
