What is the typical newborn pulse rate range?

• A. 60-100
• B. 120-160
• C. 100-120
• D. 140-180

Answer: (B)

Newborns have a fast heart rate because their bodies use energy quickly and their autonomic nervous system is still maturing. For a healthy newborn at rest, the typical pulse rate is about 120 to 160 beats per minute. You’ll often see higher rates when they cry, feed, or are awake and active, and slightly lower rates during sleep, but 120–160 is the range you’d expect during a normal assessment.

A pulse much lower than that, such as 60–100, would be unusually slow for a newborn and could signal bradycardia or poor perfusion. A range of 100–120 is on the lower end and not the common everyday resting range. A rate of 140–180 can occur with distress or agitation, but it isn’t the standard resting range for a healthy newborn.