To investigate the hypothesis that weight gain can influence periodic breathing in healthy infants, we prospectively studied, by nocturnal pneumogram technique, respiration and heart rate in 99 full-term infants during the first month of life. Eighty-eight infants had a repeat study at about 2 months of age. Pneumograms were analyzed visually for percent periodic breathing (%PB), and by computer for mean respiratory rate and mean heart rate. We found a median %PB of 0.9 initially and of 0.3 at about 2 months of age. The 95th percentile was 13.5 at 2 weeks and 7.3 at 2 months, higher than previously reported. Between the two ages tested, %PB was inversely correlated with weight gain (P < 0.001, < 0.03, respectively). Infants with greater weight gain had a greater fall in %PB (P < 0.03). We conclude that in the first 2 months of life, slow weight gain is associated with increased periodic breathing.