An healthy adult takes about 16-20 breaths per minute and his/her pulse ratio is 1: 4, 1 breath each 4 , pulses. Children breathe faster than adults, up to 20 to 30 times per minute; neonatal respiratory rate is as high as 44 times per minute. At rest, an adult, breathing ranges from 12 to 18 breaths/min, at a breath/pulse ratio of 1: 4. The neonatal respiratory rate of 44 breaths/min gradually will slow down with age.