Ultrasound has recently become an important method for diagnostic examination and monitoring of lung disease. Many lung diseases, such as respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, pneumonia, atelectasis and pneumothorax were diagnosed by chest X-ray or CT scan in the past, but can now easily be diagnosed with lung ultrasound. Lung ultrasound has many advantages over X-ray and CT scan including accuracy, reliability, low-cost and simplicity, as well as the fact that ultrasound incurs no risk of radiation damage. It is therefore feasible and convenient to perform at the bedside in a neonatal ward. This review focuses on features of bedside lung ultrasound and diagnosis features of common lung diseases in newborn infants, culminating in suggestions for improving the application of ultrasound in the neonatal field. © 2014 Informa UK Ltd.