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Normal Vital Signs — Infant (1–12 months)
Across the first year, heart and breathing rates gradually slow from newborn levels, but they stay far above adult values — a resting heart rate of 140 is unremarkable in a young infant. Babies also breathe mostly through the nose and use their tummy muscles to breathe, so watch the rise and fall of the abdomen when you count breaths.
| Vital sign | Normal range — infant (1–12 months) |
|---|---|
| Heart rate (awake, resting) | 100–160 beats/min |
| Breathing rate | 30–50 breaths/min |
| Blood pressure — systolic | 80–100 mmHg |
| Blood pressure — diastolic | 50–65 mmHg |
| Oxygen saturation (SpO2, room air) | 95% or higher |
| Body temperature | 97.7–99.5 °F (36.5–37.5 °C) |
◆ Good to know
Measure heart and breathing rates while your baby is calm or asleep — crying, feeding or a fever can push both up for a while, and they settle again once your baby is calm.
Measuring at this age
- Count breaths by watching the abdomen rise — babies breathe with their tummies. Count for a full minute while calm or asleep.
- A hand flat on the chest gives a good sense of heart rate; a full minute beats a quick 15-second count at this age.
- For temperature, a rectal reading is the one fever decisions are based on under 3 months.
Fever at this age
A temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher is a fever. Thresholds, measuring methods and warning signs by age are covered in the fever guide — and any fever in a baby under 3 months old needs medical care the same day.
The full eight-band chart is on the vital signs by age hub, and as a printable wall chart.