Breath Holding Spells????

I heard (or read) somewhere that when a child passes out as a result of holding their breath, they will begin to breathe when the lose consciouseness. It supposedly does not affect the child's health and eventually, the child will understand that it is not and effective way of getting attention.

I hope this works for you, or you at least find something that works.

The doctors are right. She will grow out of it. My daughter use to do the same thing but it becomes more bothersome when they know that they can use it to get their way. Sometimes you just have to let them go through it so that they won't use it against you.

I had to respond, because I have never heard of anyone else going through the breath holding passing out spells. When my son was about 1 and half two years old he started doing the same thing. The first time he was so mad that he could'nt leave with he's grandmother that he fell on the floor cring I did'nt pay him any mind until I didn't hear him catch he's breath, he started turning blue and he's little body went stiff as a board. My mother (grandma) started CPR and he came back around, and was fine. But of coarse it scared the mess out of she and I. I was told by he's doctor to take him to a neurologist, to check for seizures, and I though that thats what was happening. But after a number of different test she said their is nothing wrong with him. He just has a bad temper and as little people sometimes their emotions overwhelm them. She said don't be scared if he does it again he will come around, which he did, do it again. But that was the last time he grew out of it like she said he would. Also she told me don't be afraid to disipline him. He's 10 now he is still a little fire cracker but other than that he's fine. Hang in there. 32yr old mother of 3 boys I also thank God for he's blessings!

Hi L.,
My son had the same thing from the age of 1 until he was 3 years old. He had a lot of tests at the neurologists and we were told it is a condition called Pallid Breathholding Syndrome. With my son, he would hit his head or hurt himself and as soon as he started to cry, his breath would lock up. He would look at us like 'Help Me!' and there was nothing we could do. It was awful. He would pass out and then when he woke up he would be either very upset or go right to sleep. The reason your daughter is passing out is not because of lack of oxygen, but because her blood pressure goes up so quickly. We were told that as soon as he passed out, to hold him in a horizontal position and it would help the blood to flow more quickly. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions at ____@____.com usually grow out of it in a couple years.

Hi, L.!

I hate to say it, but the ER is right. She'll stop this behavior when she sees it no longer freaks you out. My nephew used to do this as a small boy, just to bug his parents. Remain calm and ignore this behavior; she is controlling you this way. She will start to breathe automatically on her own when she passes out, so don't worry about that. This is common toddler behavior. All you can do is try to keep her safe while this is going on. Other than that, don't do anything else; simply ignore it and move on as if nothing has happened. She'll get the message :D

Good luck,
Pam H.
Westminster, MD

One of mine used to do that too! This might sound harsh...but remember this was 30 years ago! Our old country doctor told me to throw cold water in his face to shock him, which would make him take a breath. It worked and it only took 2-3 times before he stopped holding his breath. When he saw me with the glass of water he'd immediately stop his temper tantrum. Best wishes!

My daughter started doing this when she was about 7 months old. When you know it's coming on you can pick them up and protect them from hurting them selves. She would do it everytime she got really mad or hurt her self. She stopped about the time she was 2 and in the last two years done it twice. Once again it is when she has really hurt herself. Just remember that a child cannot be harmed by holding their breat b/c once they pass out they start breathing involuntaryily. I'm a Christian too and just take the time to pray for God to calm your fears and give you a peace. He did with my Husband and I. Our Daughter is now 4 and perfect!

God Bless!

Hi L.,

I just recently watched a DVD called the Happiest Toddler on the Block. Maybe you can check it out at your local library (or read the book if you like that better).

The doctor on that said the breath holding spells will not hurt toddlers, however he does offer some (great) suggestions on how to calm kids down who are upset.

Try to watch the DVD/read the book to see if that helps.

Hello,

I don't know anything about the passing out issue, but I would make an appointment with your daughter's pediatrician and talk to them about this. I tend not to rely on the ER docs, they are not pediatricians afterall.
Good luck to you and God bless.

As a former breath-holding child, I have to respond. And yes, it freaked out my mother as well.

It won't hurt her. She might hold her breath until she passes out, and when she does, her body will take over and start breathing again normally. My mom will tell you: we do it because we're mad about something or we want something we cannot have. She calls it "button pushing."

This might sound really cruel to most, but today I find it rather funny. I was holding my breath in protest about something, and I has passed out several times before. She grabbed the hose from the kitchen sink and shot me in the face with cold water. And guess what? I stopped holding my breath. I'm not telling you to do this to your daughter. What I am saying is we do grow out it and grow up to be reasonably normal people. You both will be okay.

It is scary, but it doesn't hurt them - weird as it sounds. My brother used to hold his breath for attention after my other brother was born. He hit his head the first time too and they thought maybe he had a seizure but it was just holding his breath. They told my mom that he would stop eventually and to make sure that he wasn't near anything that he could hurt himself on. He stopped after about a week.

Good luck!

L., I am a nurse and yes, the doctor is right. Self induce(from holding breath)passing out is not harmful, it is the after effects like the hitting her head is what you are concerned about. I personally would, when I see she is getting ready to hold her breath....just calmy go to her and tell her since you are choosiing to hold your breath, mommy doesn't want you to get hurt when you fall, so you can sit her on the couch or lie there, depending on which way she usually falls. And then walk away, watch her without her knowing it, and make sure she doesn't get hurt falling off the couch, or you may just want to lie her down on the floor. It sounds like attention seeking/manipulative behavior....so you don't want to feed into what she is doing. Does that make sense....you can always email me of you have other ____@____.com

All the above responses are correct, it is not harmful. However, a pediatrician told my friend to blow a puff of air forcefully into the face of the toddler and it will cause them to gasp therby start breathing again. Hope this helps.

L., my neice (who is now 40+) used to hold her breath until she passed out when she couldn't get her way. The first time I saw her do that, I went into a panic and went to pick her up. Her mother (my sister-in-law) told me not to touch her. I was mortified! But she wouldn't let me pick her up or touch her. She said, "she'll come around -- she's does this all the time and when she realizes she won't get her way, she'll get up." Sure enough, a minute later, she got up and was fine. The passing out is a cry for attention or to get their way. If she is acting out because you have denied her something she wants - don't react to her passing out. She will get over it. The caveat is to make sure that she has not medical situation that would cause her to pass out.

Hi L.,
Apparently, I did this exact same thing when I was about your daughters age. My mother also did this when she was little. As far as my experience goes, there is nothing to worry about - at least that was the case with my mom and me. My mom was so scared I would pass out and wouldnt come to quickly so she carried a squirt gun with water in it in her purse. That always helped me wake up. She said she felt like she walked on eggshells for a while always letting me have my way so i wouldnt cry and pass out. My mom had me seen by many doctors at MCV and one said it was my way of throwing temper tantrums and that I would surely grow out of it shortly, and the other said that I had an underdeveloped nervous system and not to worry - it would fix itself in time. Whatever the problem was, besides scaring my mother half to death, there were no other problems. I am a 26 year old healthy, happy mother and wife. My mom says shes sure if I have a little girl - its payback time! Good luck to you - I know this is so scary - it will get better with time.

Hi L.,

One of my (twin) sons starting doing the same thing at 14 months, he's nearly 4 now. Our pediatrician simply said that it's what some children do (hold their breath) when they get hurt or upset. The pediatrician recommended we lay him on the floor, so he wouldn't fall when he faints. He did it fairly consistently for about a year and a half, but now it's very rare.
He got very upset with me the other day when disciplining him and did it. I simply lay him on the floor and try to calm him by talking in a soothing manner. I've found sprinkling water on his face works well to get him breathing again and my Fire fighter father in-law recommended puffs of air in his face, which works too.
It's certainly scary, but the best I found was to remain calm myself, lay the child down and try one of the above; water (just sprinkled from your fingers) on the face, puffs of air on the face, or comforting words.
Hang in there and all the best.
T. A

My son had these spells also. They are called Pallid Spells. They always occurred when he got hurt, and they told me he would always come around on his own. I do not want to scare you, but I would like you to be prepared. I ended up during resus breathing for my son several times between 1 1/2 and 3 years of age. If you do not know CPR, learn it and make everyone that is ever in her presence, learn it. Best of luck. Mine out grew it

Good Morning! My daughter, who is now 5+, has the same condition that you are describing. Our pediatrician assured us that although scary and nerve-wracking, that she would outgrow this and thankfully we have not had an episode for almost a year. Please be assured that "this too shall pass"...It never gets easier to deal with, as seeing your child unconscious is just so beyond scary. This condition, at least for us - for our daughter, also really took her energy, as each time she passed out, she woke up pale and out-of-sorts, so to speak. During this period, we just took the time to hug, read quietly together, and relax - which we both desperately needed after such a scary time! My advice? Just try to stay calm during these times, stay in control of the situation and comfort your daughter. Also, as you become more "in tune" with this, you will see some of the "triggers" that cause your daughter to pass out. In these cases, just try to have her breath through them - as an example...when she is so upset and angry over a situation and shows signs that she may pass out, go to her and try to calm her...we always went to our daughter and actually said the words "breath, let's breath together, try and be calm..." It is hard to do...sounds silly, but this has actually worked on on occasion! Good Luck and be assured that your child is healthy, thriving and will be okay!

Hi L.,

Have you tried getting involved with a parenting support group?

http://attachmentparenting.meetup.com

In the city where you live, they have the Department of Public Health. They teach a variety of child safety topics. Contact your local health department to see what kind of classes they offer.

There is the Hampton Roads Parenting Education Network at ###-###-#### or www.chkd.org/hrpen

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

L.,
My daughter does it all the time. I just make sure when she has a tantrum I put her on the couch or bed so she doesn't hurt herself. She only recently started doing it around her 3rd b-day and the doc said it is her way for getting attention b/c we fuss over her and everything. So when she starts to have a tantrum, on the couch she goes until she calms down or holds her breath so long she passes out. It won't hurt them, their body will naturally start their breathing properly, but sometimes I get a little worried. I just don't let it show. Her episodes have been less frequent since I started ignoring it and hopefully they will go away all together. I hope she gets over it soon!

Wow I too would be concerned. But after reading these replies it seems normal and harmless. SEe what her pediatrician says. Sounds like its an attention getting tactic. You can try to ignore her, but keep a close eye on her. Dont give her the attention she is wanting in a discipline situation. But in a situation where she has injured herself see if you can calm her before she passes out. Keep us updated.

My mother-in-law tells me that when my husband was little he used to hold his breath 'til he passed out. She said the most embarassing would be in the grocery store in the cart. The pediatrician just told her that when he starts holding his breath to take him out of the cart and set him on the floor, so he doesn't hurt himself, then ignore him. That's what he told her to do anytime he did it. Just walk over him and ignore him. She said over time he eventually gave up and stopped doing it. All I have to say is thank goodness neither of my children do it!!

I know how you feel! My son, who is 10 now, started doing the same thing when he was about 16 months old. The first time, he was walking and slipped on something and passed out. We called 911 because neither of us had ever heard of a baby doing it but by the time they arrived he was awake and wanting to play some more. The next time he fell out of a chair at his grandmothers. It is definately scary to see your little one do that. We rushed him to the er that time, because it was only about a week or so after the first time. The doctor said that he was getting scared and holding his breath. I had to learn to not be so jumpy with him when he fell or did something because after talking to a neurologist, they said that he was reacting to me. Our little angels will learn that they can get a reaction from us for doing stuff like this, so I have to agree with the other poster here. Try ignoring her, but make sure she is in a safe place to have her tantrum.

Good luck!

My daughter did this about 18-30 mos of age. She only did it out of fear when she hurt herself, about 5 separate times. It is quite scary to watch. First, remember not to shake her, although it's tempting. Pat her really hard on the back, or pat her cheeks and try to get her attention. Hold her so she doesn't fall, or pre-emptively put her on the ground away from objects. Tell other caregivers about this. It might happen sporadically, but they need to be able to keep her safe. My daughter had one episode in daycare and it was only her 2nd one in about 6 months so I had never told the teacher. The teacher was crying and panic-ed because she had never seen it before.

Since she seems to do it in anger too, you really need to emphasize, as she gets older, the importance of being calm and using words. As I said, my daughter never did this in a tantrum, thank goodness. Good news is that she will outgrow it, you just want to make it happen quickly - so comfort her, make her feel secure, and teach her how to regain her composure as she becomes old enough to understand.