Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is when a premature baby (a baby born early) has:

• pauses in breathing for more than 15–20 seconds
  or
• pauses in breathing for less than 15 seconds, but also has a slow heart rate or low oxygen level

Your baby had AOP while in the hospital. AOP gets better as a baby grows, so you can care for your baby at home. After AOP goes away, it usually doesn't come back.

• Give any prescribed medicines as directed by your health care provider.
• If your baby went home with an apnea monitor, use it as instructed.
• If you haven't already, take a certified CPR class for babies.

At home, if your baby isn't breathing or your baby's face looks pale or bluish:

• Gently rub your baby's chest, arms, or legs for a few seconds. Do not shake your baby — doing so can cause serious injury and even death. 
• If your baby does not start breathing, start CPR and call 911.

AOP does not cause SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), but premature babies have a higher risk for SIDS. To help protect your baby, follow these safe sleep practices:

• Place your baby to sleep on their back for naps and at night. Your baby may roll over on their own, but that's OK.
• Put your baby in a crib or bassinet that meets all safety standards. Never put wedges, sleep positioners, pillows, blankets, bumpers, or toys in the crib or bassinet. Never place your baby to sleep on a couch, chair, pillow, or quilt.
• Keep the crib or bassinet in the room where you sleep for at least 6 months and, if possible, for your baby's first year. Never let your baby sleep in bed with you.
• Do not fall asleep in bed or on a couch or chair while holding your baby.
• Breastfeed your baby, if possible. Put your baby back in the crib or bassinet when finished breastfeeding.
• Give your baby a pacifier at nap and bedtime. Do not attach the pacifier to anything, such as a string, clothing, stuffed toy, or blanket. If your baby is breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is going well before using a pacifier, usually about 3–4 weeks.
• Don't let your baby get too hot while sleeping. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. Don't put a hat or too many clothes on your baby. Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating.
• If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, sling, or baby carrier, move them to the crib or bassinet as soon as possible.

Make sure everyone who cares for your baby follows these safe sleep practices. Also, don't let anyone smoke around your baby.

Your baby has:

• more periods of apnea than usual
• apnea that lasts longer than usual

Your baby seems ill after recovering from an apnea spell.

If your baby has an apnea spell and does not start breathing when you try gentle stimulation techniques, start CPR and call 911 right away.

What causes AOP? AOP is caused by an immature breathing system. It happens when a baby doesn't get a regular signal from the brain to breathe or doesn't respond to the signal well. AOP also can happen if a baby's airway has low muscle tone and doesn't stay completely open.

When does AOP stop? It depends on how early the baby was born. For babies born after 28 weeks gestation, AOP usually goes away a few weeks before their original due date. For babies born before 28 weeks gestation, AOP usually goes away a few weeks after their original due date. 

How do AOP and periodic breathing differ? Periodic breathing is a pause in breathing that lasts just a few seconds, followed by several fast and shallow breaths. Periodic breathing doesn't cause a change in facial color (such as blueness around the mouth) or a drop in heart rate. A baby who has periodic breathing starts regular breathing again on their own. You do not need to do anything if your baby has periodic breathing. While it can be scary to see, periodic breathing usually causes no other problems.