Holding Breath

My DD is 13 months old, lately when she has a fit....she'll cry and hold her breath and start to turn blue around her lips

It sometimes takes her a few moments to breath again and it's really scary. As she gets older, she's doing it more frequently and its becoming more severe (longer, bluer).

I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with this. I looked it up on Google against my better judgement and was surprised that for once, Google didn't scare me with the responses that came up! I read it's common, they out grow it, they could pass out (which will make them breathe), etc.

If you have gone through this, is there anything you did to help make them start breathing? Like blow in their face?? Did they ever pass out? Did you change the way you disciplined so they didn't get that upset??

Thanks in advance!

Re: Holding Breath

my DS has done this since day 1. He's now 20 months and still does it. He will turn blue and start kicking if you pick him up to try to help himself breathe. I rub his back hard, blow in his face, etc... but I don't think there's much you can do. My son's not intentionally holding his breath. He gets so worked up that he almost seems like he loses his breath if that makes sense

Message edited 5/28/2012 6:53:46 AM.

Re: Holding Breath

Yes, my daughter, while crying breathes in during her cry and doesn't breathe out. She did it when she was younger, and I'd gently blow in her face and she's take a gasp for air...now that she's older, blowing gently doesn't work

Re: Holding Breath

I did this as a kid... for years... my poor parents/... nothing you can do, she will figure out it sucks to pass out when she does and she will always breathe again...my mom used to freak and doc always said nothing you can do, don't reward it, try to ignore it and she will always breathe again

Re: Holding Breath

The dr wasn't concerned. He said they would pass out and the body will take over. Not what I want to see happen, but they can't really stop themselves from breathing that way.