The rate will vary according to age. The youngest will have afaster rate. The number of breaths we take per minute is a sign ofhow often our brain is telling our bodies to breathe. If the oxygenlevel in the blood is low, or alternately if the carbon dioxidelevel in the blood is high, our body is instructed to breathe moreoften.For example, having a severe infection increases the carbondioxide produced in the body, so even if there's a normal level ofoxygen in the blood, the brain instructs the body to breathe moreoften to clear the carbon dioxide.Children have faster respiratory rates than adults, and the"normal" respiratory rate can vary significantly by age.The normal ranges of respiratory rates for children (at rest) ofdifferent ages include:Newborn: 30-60 breaths per minuteInfant (1 to 12 months): 30-60 breaths per minuteToddler (1-2 years): 24-40 breaths per minutePreschooler (3-5 years): 22-34 breaths per minuteSchool-age child (6-12 years): 18-30 breaths per minuteAdolescent (13-17 years): 12-16 breaths per minute