In a healthy newborn baby, the normal rate of breathing (respiration) per minute is approximately how many times per minute?

Introduction / Context:
Respiratory rate, or the number of breaths taken per minute, is an important vital sign in both adults and children. Newborn babies have different normal ranges compared to adults, usually with a higher breathing rate because of their smaller size and greater metabolic needs. Many basic physiology and nursing questions ask about the approximate normal respiration rate for a newborn to test understanding of age related differences.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is a healthy, term newborn baby.
• The options include 18, 32, 26, and 16 breaths per minute.
• We assume standard clinical ranges for newborn respiratory rate.
• The question asks for an approximate normal value, not an exact number.

Concept / Approach:
In adults, the normal resting respiratory rate is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. In newborns, the normal rate is significantly higher, usually in the range of about 30 to 60 breaths per minute. Among the options given, 32 breaths per minute falls within this typical newborn range and therefore represents a reasonable approximate normal value. Values like 16 or 18 per minute are normal for adults, not newborns, and 26 is slightly above adult but still lower than the usual newborn range.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall normal adult resting respiratory rate, which is approximately 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Step 2: Remember that newborn babies have higher metabolic rates and smaller lungs, leading to faster breathing, commonly around 30 to 60 breaths per minute. Step 3: Compare the options with this newborn range. 18 and 16 breaths per minute are within or below the adult range and too low for a normal newborn. Step 4: 26 breaths per minute is slightly above an adult rate, but still below the lower limit of typical newborn ranges. Step 5: 32 breaths per minute falls within the normal newborn range, making it the best approximate choice among the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Pediatric and nursing references describe normal newborn respiratory rates as roughly 30 to 60 breaths per minute, with some variation during sleep and wakefulness. They emphasise that rates below about 30 or persistently above 60 may need evaluation. When exam questions offer discrete choices, a value like 32 is commonly used to represent a normal newborn rate. This matches the general clinical information and supports choosing 32 breaths per minute as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
About 18 breaths per minute, similar to a resting adult, is too low for a newborn and corresponds to adult rates, so option A is incorrect. About 26 breaths per minute, only slightly above adult rate, is still below the typical newborn range and would often be considered low in a very young baby, making option C wrong. About 16 breaths per minute, lower than a typical adult, is clearly abnormal for a newborn and therefore incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to assume that vital sign values are roughly the same for adults and newborns, leading students to select numbers like 16 or 18. Another mistake is to choose a mid range number such as 26 without checking it against known pediatric ranges. To avoid these errors, remember that younger children and newborns usually have higher heart and respiratory rates than adults. For newborn respiration, keep in mind the approximate range of 30 to 60 breaths per minute and select the option that fits within that range.

Final Answer:
The correct choice is About 32 breaths per minute, higher than an adult rate, because normal newborn babies typically breathe around 30 to 60 times per minute.