Question for those whose babies hold their breath

One of my babies has always held her breath when she cries...like she won't take a breath for many seconds in between wails. Last night and tonight at dinner, she did this for so long that I just about panicked! She was bright red (this is usual for her). It looked like her eyes were rolling back in her head--very scarey. It was to the point that tonight I started slapping her on the back even though I knew that there wasn't anything obstructing her breathing. I'm concerned and don't know what to do. She is a very sensitive baby and cries about everything...but this breath holding is getting too serious.

BTW...nothing happened out of the ordinary. She was eating food that she eats every night and usually enjoys.

Any ideas?

 

My twins turned 2 on the 12th of this month. My Trevor is a breath holder too. There were many times that I freaked over it. I finally talked to their pedi and she said they will pass out before they can hurt themselves. And when they do that they start breathing normally again. It is scary for you the mom but they CAN NOT hurt their selves by doing this. It didn't take long for me to see this a just a way to throw a tantrum before they are old enough to really throw one! Don't worry! and good luck.

 

My mom told me to blow (with your mouth, of course) a LITTLE puff of air in their face. That will make them take a breath if they are really out of control crying. I tried it and it worked. It won't stop the crying, but they do stop to take a breath. It's scary when they hold their breath like that, I know.

 

My DS does that sometimes when he gets really angry. He is a very sensitive baby as well and very needy and if I don't respond to him the instant he wants something he gets mad and does that too.

 

QUOTE(benderboys @ Feb 14 2008, 02:22 AM) [snapback]620871[/snapback]
My mom told me to blow (with your mouth, of course) a LITTLE puff of air in their face. That will make them take a breath if they are really out of control crying. I tried it and it worked. It won't stop the crying, but they do stop to take a breath. It's scary when they hold their breath like that, I know.


That's exactly what we used to do with Sierra when she did this. Sorry you are dealing with it!

 

dd does this and has passed out several times, sometimes the blowing on the face works other times not so much.

 

I agree with the pp about blowing gently in their face. Our pedi said the body is designed in a way for it not to hurt itself, for example you can't hold your breathe long enough to damage. You'll pass out ( and breathe ) first!

 

My Kayci did this. The puff of air in the face did nothing. She just had to pass out and come out of it. If she was standing, I had to get to her fast so she didn't crack her head on something on the way down. I'd pick her up and just hold her till she came out it. She'd be kind of out of it at first, like really sleepy, but within a few minutes was back to normal. Try not to get to upset by it, although I know it's hard not to.