Oxygen Therapy in Neonates

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Español

Your baby may need extra oxygen if he or she cannot breathe enough oxygen on his or her own. Your baby's healthcare provider will prescribe how much oxygen your baby needs. Use oxygen as directed. Too much or too little oxygen can harm your baby.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your baby is not breathing or not responsive.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your baby has trouble breathing.
• Your baby's lips or fingers look blue.
• The skin around the ribs pulls in when your baby inhales, or the middle of your baby's chest sinks deeply in as he or she breathes.
• Your baby's heart rate is slower than usual.

Call your baby's doctor if:

• You have questions about your baby's oxygen equipment.
• You have questions or concerns about your baby's condition or care.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Help your baby use oxygen safely:

• Learn how to use oxygen equipment and respond to problems. Make sure you understand how to use the equipment before your baby is discharged home. Healthcare providers will teach you how to use the equipment and take care of your baby. They may recommend you take a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class. CPR teaches you how to respond if your baby has trouble breathing or is not responsive. The oxygen supply company can help you with any equipment problems.
• Do not use oxygen around heat or flame. Compressed oxygen can catch on fire. Keep the oxygen container 6 feet away from open flames or heaters, such as candles or hot water heaters. Do not use anything flammable, such as rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly, or aerosol sprays near oxygen. Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly. Create a home fire escape plan with your family.
• Do not allow smoking in your home. Persons who smoke should smoke outside. Hang a sign on your door to let others know smoking is not allowed in the home.
• Do not change the flow of your baby's oxygen. Only make changes if the healthcare provider tells you to. Turn the oxygen container or concentrator off when your baby is not using the oxygen.
• Put signs on all the doors of your house. Use signs to let visitors and emergency workers know that oxygen is in use. Tell your electric company that you have electrical medical equipment. They will put you on a priority list to fix your power quickly if it goes out.
• Follow instructions for use and maintenance of the oxygen equipment. Keep oxygen containers secured in an upright position. Oxygen containers may become damaged if they fall over. An oxygen container may cause serious injury if it breaks.

How to clean your baby's oxygen supplies:

• Wash or replace equipment parts as directed. Wash your baby's nasal prongs with soap and water 2 times a week, or as needed. Replace the nasal prongs every 2 weeks. Replace the tubing every 2 months, or when it becomes stiff. Change the tubing if moisture appears on the inside of the tube. Moisture can make bacteria grow, and cause infections. Change the cannula and tubing after your baby has a cold or the flu.
• Ask how to clean the CPAP mask or tracheostomy tube. A healthcare provider may come to your home to teach you how to care for a tracheostomy tube.
• Disinfect the buttons and outer part of the oxygen concentrator. Clean or replace the air filter at least 1 time each week. Clean it with soap and water. Let it air dry. Ask your oxygen supply company to service your concentrator at least 1 time a year. Ask the provider if you have any questions about how to clean or replace the air filter.
• Wash the humidifier bottle with soap and warm water between each refill. Rinse and air dry the bottle before you refill it with distilled water. Do not use tap water. Disinfect the outside of the bottle and cap when the inside of the bottle has been washed.

General tips for oxygen use:

• Keep a backup oxygen supply in case of an emergency. Always keep a backup oxygen tank that does not run on electricity in case there is a power failure. Oxygen may leak out of the container. Ask the oxygen supply company if your supply has a tool to reduce wasted oxygen.
• Care for your baby's skin around the oxygen tubing. Oxygen may dry out your baby's skin, mouth, or throat. Use gauze or water-based lubricants to help soothe your baby's skin. Place gauze on top of your baby's ears or under the tubing on the cheeks if they become sore. Use water-based lubricants on your baby's lips and nostrils if they become dry or sore. Do not use oil-based lubricants. They may be flammable.
• Order new oxygen before your current supply runs out. The oxygen supply company may not deliver on holidays. Ask your baby's provider for help planning your baby's oxygen needs during travel.
• Keep the phone number of your oxygen supply company close by. Place it in your wallet or save it in your mobile phone. You may also keep it in an area that you see every day, such as on your fridge. Contact them if you have any problems with your supplies.

Follow up with your baby's doctor as directed:

Write down your baby's oxygen settings and device readings to bring to every visit. Your baby's healthcare provider will tell you if any changes need to be made. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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