Oxygen Therapy in Neonates

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Español

What do I need to know about oxygen therapy?

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.

What are the types of oxygen supply systems?

Your baby's healthcare provider will help choose the best oxygen supply for your baby. Oxygen supply is based on how much oxygen your baby needs and if it can be safely stored in your home. Oxygen can be supplied the following 3 ways:

• Compressed oxygen holds oxygen in a metal cylinder (tank) under pressure. The tank can be set to release only the amount of oxygen your baby needs as he or she breathes. A gauge at the top of the tank will let you know how much oxygen is left in the tank. Compressed oxygen tanks are heavy. You may need help to move or secure it. Smaller tanks and wheeled carts are available to help you move your baby with ease. You may be able to adjust your baby's stroller to safely hold the tanks.
• Liquid oxygen is kept chilled inside a small, insulated tank. The liquid warms and becomes a breathable gas when your baby breathes in. Liquid oxygen tanks are smaller and easier to carry around. You can refill the small liquid oxygen tank from a big tank kept in your home. The oxygen delivery service will fill the large tank every 1 to 2 weeks.
• An oxygen concentrator is a large device that plugs into an electrical outlet. The concentrator pulls and filters oxygen from the air and gives it to your baby. Your baby may also be given a portable concentrator that uses batteries. A portable concentrator is a smaller device that can be used when your baby is not near an electrical outlet. It may also be used in case of a power outage.

What are the types of oxygen breathing devices?

Each device is connected to the oxygen supply with tubing. Keep the tubing out of reach from your baby. Your baby may need a humidifier to moisten the oxygen. This helps prevent dryness in the nose, mouth, and throat. Ask the healthcare provider if your baby needs a humidifier, and how to attach it to the oxygen supply.

• A nasal cannula is a plastic tube with 2 prongs that fit inside your baby's nostrils. Place one prong in each nostril. Loop the tubing around or under your baby's ears. You may need to secure the tubing to your baby's face with tape or another device. Use gentle tape such as medical or paper tape. Stop using tape if it irritates your baby's skin. The tubing should not leave marks on your baby's face. Make sure the cannula fits your baby well and is comfortable.
• A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device uses air pressure to keep your baby's airway open. Oxygen may be given through a mask or nasal cannula connected to the CPAP device. The mask should fit snugly over your baby's mouth and nose. Your baby may only need CPAP while he or she sleeps. Your baby's healthcare provider will tell you how often your baby needs to use this device.
• A tracheostomy is a surgical opening in your child's trachea (windpipe). Oxygen will be given through a thin, flexible tube placed in the opening. The tube will be connected to a ventilator. A ventilator is a machine that helps your baby breathe. Your baby's provider will teach you how to use the ventilator.

How can I help my 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 do I clean my 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.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

What other devices may my baby need?

• A continuous pulse oximeter (pulse ox) is a device used to measure your baby's oxygen level. It will stay connected to your baby at all times. The pulse ox may be placed on your baby's hand or foot.
• An apnea monitor shows your baby's heart rate and breathing. The healthcare provider will show you what to do if the monitor alarms. You may need to gently tap your baby if he or she stops breathing. This will make him or her breathe and increase his or her heart rate.

What are some 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.

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

• Your baby is not breathing or not responsive.

When should I seek immediate care?

• 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.

When should I call my baby's doctor?

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

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your baby's care. Learn about your baby's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your baby's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your baby. 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.

© Copyright Merative 2025 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer