Mother shares video warning of lung condition in babies

She warns parents that recognise it to call an ambulance immediately

Mother warns of baby cold symptom (Stock)

A mother has shared a video of her daughter’s laboured breathing to warn other parents of a lesser-known cold symptom that could be life-threatening.

Charlie O’Brien posted the video of her daughter Luna, who was four-weeks-old at the time, breathing hard on Facebook, where she wrote: “I stumbled across this on my phone and thought it might be useful to share.”

According to the mum of two, her daughter had been unusually quiet that day - so she was watching her sleep when she noticed “it didn’t look right.”

“I unbuttoned her babygrow and this is what I saw,” she wrote. “Sucking in at ribs is a sign to get your baby or child to the hospital.”

In the video, baby Luna’s ribs are indenting as she tries to draw breath - even though she appears to be asleep and fine otherwise.

After taken Luna to the hospital, O’Brien learned that Luna had “bronchiolitis and her oxygen levels were very low.”

“Luckily after a night on oxygen she made a very good recovery,” the mum wrote. “We’re heading into the dreaded season of non-stop colds, coughs and viruses so thought it was worth a mention.”

Although the video was originally shared a year ago, O’Brien re-shared it as a reminder of what parents should look for.

According to the NHS, bronchiolitis is often associated with symptoms including rasping and persistent dry cough, rapid breathing or wheezing, vomiting after feeding, and being irritable. A small percentage of those affected need hospital care.

If a baby is sucking their ribs in with each breath, parents should call an ambulance immediately. Distressed breathing can also be a sign of asthma.

Baby Luna's ribs were sucking in as she breathed (Facebook Charlie O'Brien)

The video has since been shared more than 32,000 times and received more than 4,000 comments from parents grateful for the warning or who’ve experienced similar situations.

“Thanks for sharing. I can imagine this will help many people to know what to look out for. I wouldn’t have known so you’ve helped me already,” one person wrote.

According to O’Brien, since the video went viral, she’s received “three stories of it saving lives in the last few days,” however, while she is “delighted,” she advises parents concerned about their child’s health to seek medical attention.

“If you’re worried… go and get seen,” she wrote on Facebook.