What is the average heart rate for a newborn (birth to 1 month)?

The average heart rate for a newborn, defined as being from birth to 1 month old, typically ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute. This elevated heart rate is a normal physiological response for infants as their bodies are adjusting to life outside the womb and require a higher cardiac output to support their rapid growth and metabolic demands.

In comparison to older children and adults, whose resting heart rates are lower, newborns have a significantly higher normal range. Factors such as excitement, feeding, and even sleep patterns can cause variations within that range, but the established average remains consistent at 120 to 160 beats per minute.

The choice reflecting a heart rate lower than 120 or higher than 160 does not align with the physiological norms for this age group, as both bradycardia (slower heart rates) and tachycardia (faster heart rates) outside this range can indicate underlying health issues that require monitoring or medical attention.