Technically most Neonatologists will not feed a tachypneic infant (RR>60) but
many of us "push the envelop" with breastfeeding infants because if they are
sick enough to need to work at breathing, they usually will not nurse.  Most
infants will protect their airways in lieu of feeding.  A RR of 100 would
seem too high to nurse, BUT, I have found that many infants are tachypneic
BECAUSE they are irritable/hungry, and they slow down when fed.  I will not
bottle feed or gavage feed a term infant with a resp rate > 70, but I will
TRY breastfeeding at up to 90-100 if the infant does not appear to be
"working hard" to breathe.
Nancy Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
San Diego, CA

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