My ds has started to hold his breath when he is upset

[sleepsforwimps]

Ds is 19 months, for the last few days when tired and crying he has taken to holding his breath for a couple/few seconds. Has anyone else experienced a baby/toddler do this, should I be worried?

Yep ds did / does this usually only when tired or ill though and upset on top of that. He has gone blue / grey and passed out.

However, he did it from when he was 7/8 months (he is 3 now and just does it if frightened now really). I would say mention it to your HV to be on safe side as some seizures can present themself like this but it is unlikely. Is it always triggered by something (eg him being thwarted in some way) or does it ever happen for no reason?

It is scary but in most cases breath holding is entirely harmless.

DS (16mo) has done this since birth and I've never really worried about it- when he runs out of breath he soon starts breathing again

you might find this useful, ds went to docs about his but that was because he passed out as I mentioned.

It's only happened when he's upset. Thankyou for the link, that's interesting reading. I just googled breath holding and seems when they're little it can also happen involuntarily, so now not sure if he is doing it on purpose or not.. That's a bit worrying your ds passed out from doing it.