Newborn Granddaughter Has "See-saw" Labored Breathing. How Serious Is It?

I'm sorry you are so worried. Based on this as well as your last question, I think you really have to be as supportive as you can be of the new parents, who are exhausted and overwhelmed. Anyone with a new baby is like that - and if there are some tests that may be of concern, that feeling is multiplied. Thinking that they are getting you all worried and put into internet-research mode is just going to stress them out even more.

These medical questions have to be answered by the neonatal specialists. I think it's better for you, and for your child, for you to get into the nurturing grandma role, keep them upbeat and hopeful, and talk about the joy of this baby. I really think, as grandmother, you can't do more than that unless and until they invite you to medical appointments. Please don't become one more person they have to worry about - let them share their info as they wish without worrying about your reaction.

So much of what happens with newborns is rapidly changing - lungs mature, babies adjust to conditions outside the womb, development continues. And you just have to wait and see, no matter how frustrating that is. Trust that the parents are smart enough to get good care, and support them without asking too many questions. They aren't getting any sleep. They need your upbeat attitude.

What does her doctor say?
Try to relax a bit.
New parents worry about everything as it is.
Let them work with the doctor(s).
You do your best to listen to them and project a positive attitude of well being.
Google can be your friend in many instances but in this case - it's going to drive you crazy - so try really hard to refrain from using it.
Relax!
Make them a few casseroles.
Offer to help - do a load of laundry, run errands, etc - as they need support and love and rest through the first exhausting weeks/months with a newborn.

These are things you need to ask the parents about. Hopefully she is under a doctor's care.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/12/2/141.ab...

The respiratory activity of quiet and sleeping healthy infants has been studied by pneumographic tracings and by clinical observations. Four successive stages of respiration have been described through which all healthy, full term newborn infants pass.

...

The third stage lasts several days or weeks. Infants in this stage exhibit rapidly fluctuating rates, variable rhythms and a wide variety of respiratory patterns. Two of the common patterns seen in this stage have been given the terms "simple retraction" and "see-saw." In simple retraction the lower end of the sternum and adjacent costal margins are pulled inwards as the abdomen and upper chest expand. In "see-saw" breathing the whole anterior chest wall is pulled inwards and downwards as the abdomen expands. There is much shifting back and forth from one pattern to another.

So it looks like this can be normal for a newborn. It is so hard not to panic, but know that hospitals are very, very careful with newborns. My second was born nearly 2 weeks past the estimated due date, which had the MD's all freaked out but my midwife/doula was not. When he was born, there were signs of old meconium inside the amniotic sac, even though the fluid was clear. Shortly after he was born, he began making little grunting noises. Even though he had a great Apgar (8 and 9), was bright red, nursing, etc, they considered the noises a "potential sign of respiratory distress" and insisted on taking him to the neonatal ICU for evaluation. He was absolutely fine, he was just telling the world how annoyed he was. To this day, he makes grumbling noises when he is mad. But similar noises can be made by babies in distress. All this to say, there is an excellent chance that absolutely nothing serious is going on. If there is anything of concern, they will find it and address it. In the meantime, do your very best to celebrate her arrival and support the parents. Congratulations!!!

What other signs is she exhibiting? Retractions? What did the doctor say when they auscultated her heart and lungs?