My Son Holds His Breath!

I don't know much about this, but if you blow in his face he will automatically take in a breath. That's also a good trick to get them to swallow medicine. :) Good luck!!

GET A SECOND OPINION! I would also consider talking with a child psychologist. Perhaps there are some training techniques available that will help you train your son to grow out of this dangerous habit?!

Good Luck and God Bless..

I would definitely get the second opinion form another pediatrician! I can't even imagine how scary it must be! Ask the doctor what can you do to prevent it, to interrupt it, are there any risks associated with it. In a meanwhile - I had a babysitter who worked for 12 years in a day care, and she told me that they had a baby just like your son. To stop this breath holding and prevent him from passing out they would blow into his face and that apparently would make him stop and take a breath. Hopefully it will work for you. Nevertheless - talk to another doctor. Good luck - I hope he will outgrow this very soon.

C.,
That must be VERY hard to watch as his mom. My cousin did that when she was younger (She is 30 now with her own son). She would get angry and hold her breath as she cried. She eventually grew out of it. I don't think a second opinion is needed...but it depends on what YOU want. I can't see that you'll hear anything different but if it will ease your piece of mind...go for it. Hopefully this is a short lived phase. Keep us updated!

C.~

My Grandmother tells me all the time that when they cried, both my Mother and her brother, my Uncle, used to hold their breath until they passed out. She used to splash cold water on their faces until they came to, but she always says, and I quote, "They used to scare the hell outta me." Both my mom and uncle are very healthy adults, and their little episodes had no ill effects on them whatsoever ( I can't say the same about my Grandmother though, LOL.) I can't even imagine how frightening it is to watch your little one turn blue and pass out (I also have a 10 month old), but once he does faint, his body will naturally begin the involuntary process of breathing, even if he doesn't want to! Although I'm no pediatrician, I think he will be just fine. If you are otherwise happy with your son's Dr., I wouldn't switch. Hope everything works out!!

M.

my cousin used to do the same thing so did my son and i told my aunt this and she told me that each time he does that blow in his face and he wil take a breathe i did and it works. soo try blowin in in his face so he will take a breath and wont hold it in

Hi C.! While this will more likely than not pass with age, I personally would get another opinion or revisit the doctor now that your son does this to the point that he passes out. While extremely frightening & frustrating, the good thing to know, according to all I've read, is depending on physically, our bodies don't allow us to hold out breath past the point where we can do damage. At this point my concern would focus around how badly he could hurt himself depending on where he is when he passes out.

Dr. Phil would probably tell you this is a passing phase ;-) and that your son will stop when you stop reating to him. how right that is, I don't knw but try reacting differently and see if it helps. Good luck.

C.,

My son did the same thing and my pediatrician told me to ignore him and eventually he would realize he doesn't get any attention that way and stop. I have never heard it was hereditary though. My son was the first one on both sides of our family to ever do it. You are right, it is very scary to watch, but trust me he will start breathing once he passes out. My son used to do it so often that I couldn't leave him with anyone, my mother-in-law was a nurse and my sister was a medical assistant in a pediatricians office. I don't know if this helps, but my son is now going on 20 years old and just graduated with his first degree from an excellent college, this fall he will be starting at one of the top business colleges in the country. So you see, they can hold their breath, turn blue, and pass out, it doesn't hurt them. If I were you, I would listen to my pediatrician and not get a second oppinion. Let me know if I can be of any further help.

Hugs,
T.

Hi C. ,
my daughter used to do the same thing when she was a baby too. She would start crying really loud and then hold her breath and turn blue. I used to tilt her head back and open her mouth as if you were gonna give cpr . This opens the air way . She is now 4 and she still does it when she gets hurt. I now just pat her on the back. I think it might be hereditery ,because my mom said i used to do the same thing. I dont think its anything to worry about. I turned out fine. Hope this helps you.

Hi C.,
Yes this does pass with age. I used to blow in ky son's mouth when he held his breath. it is scary but I was told dont worry because the worse thing that will happen is that he would pass out and that did happen to my son...My son is now 5 and no longer holds his breath so the my doctor was right...

N.