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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Holding breath and fainting

20 replies

Wiggletastic · 09/07/2010 19:04

Our DD is 20 months and when she is very upset she holds her breath (not intentionally) her limbs go stiff, she shakes and goes blue and sometimes passes out. This has happened about 5 times now and is obviously very upsetting for me and DH. I have been told its common but I would like to know what to do when it happens to stop her getting to the passing out stage - any advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ShowOfHands · 09/07/2010 19:06

My Mum used to look after a boy who did this. Blowing in his face often worked. He grew out of it eventually.

thesecondcoming · 09/07/2010 19:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 09/07/2010 19:57

DD was like this and grew out of it when she was 2, which the doctor said would happen. Blow on face and cuddles after. After she stopped pasing out she then went on to being sick It is stressful but it will pass.

Original poster

Wiggletastic · 09/07/2010 20:25

Thanks for advice, really hoping she grows out of it soon, without the being sick stage. It is really freaking us out...

OP posts:

Al1son · 09/07/2010 22:31

IT is very scary. I have cared for a child in nursery who did it.

He has grown out of it now thank goodness.

Blowing in her face may prompt her to take a breath before she passes out.

If it doesn't work and she does pass out just stay very calm, cuddle her and wait for it to pass. Be careful not to let yourself be governed by trying to stop her getting upset because you are scared of it. It could mean it happens more often not less often.

We were reassured by medical professionals that he wouldn't come to any harm because he would always start breathing when he passed out. He did used to be very sleepy and subdued for a while afterwards.

TheNextMrsDepp · 09/07/2010 22:39

It is just a tantrum, pure and simple. My niece used to do it. Just make sure she is safe and wait for it to pass - it will not do her any harm, as the reflex to breathe will start her breathing again. My sister was told to "ignore her", but flew into a screaming panic every time, which probably didn't help.

I agree, it looks really scary, but she'll grow out of it and won't come to any harm.

Avoiding it in the first place just means avoiding the usual tantrum triggers (whatever they are!).

Cashncarry · 09/07/2010 22:43

This happened to my DD when she was about 15 months old - I started a thread at the time and got loads of great advice. Good old MN to the rescue! Hang on a mo and I'll find it...

Cashncarry · 09/07/2010 22:51

This is the thread I started here

But I did post on another thread here where I posted the actual advice the HV gave me which was great.

I've cut and paste that bit for you in case it's useful:

"My DD (18 mths) starts a tantrum out of nowhere about the most ridiculous things and holds her breath. She did actually seem to pass out once which is when I posted. Had a long (and tearful) conversation with my HV who was wonderfully supportive and gave me lots of good advice. She didn't agree with the ignoring thing for breath holding (which I was actually relieved about). She said to continue to ignore bad behaviour but when she appeared to hold her breath, to pick her up and gently shush her (like you did when she was a tiny baby). Apparently this helps her learn to control her temper. It's her anger and loss of control that's causing it so the best thing you can do is teach her how to stay calm. The way my HV put it was that if she got so angry she couldn't breathe, she would always remember her mummy's calmness and gentleness. I thought it was a wonderful way to handle it and being proactive rather than ignoring worked for me."

Hopefully more people will come along with advice as different children respond to different techniques. The important thing to remember is that it does pass - DD is five, nearly six, now and it's rarely a problem. Only when she falls over and gives herself a fright - she scared the crap out of her teacher in her first term at school! You will laugh about it later on I promise but until then just stay calm and remember to breathe yourself x

Original poster

Wiggletastic · 10/07/2010 10:09

It tends to happen when she has had a fright or has fallen and hurt herself - she just gets so upset. I will try some of these tips and also try to stay calm! Thanks everyone.

OP posts:

Al1son · 10/07/2010 10:31

That's the same as the little boy I cared for. He didn't need to be cross. Lots of children hold their breath for a moment when they've let out the first cry. This is an extension of that little pause.

I don't think I'd ever feel genuinely calm inside holding a child who is doing the full blown passing out thing, it's too distressing to watch. I just used to be outwardly calm and reassuring so that there wasn't a big fuss when he came round.

I've just remembered that one medical professional said he could possibly have a headache when he was recovering because of the low oxygen and the trauma. That could be why he always went quiet afterwards.

Runoutofideas · 10/07/2010 16:08

My dd does it too - She's nearly 3 and it seems to be becoming a much less frequent occurance. The only thing I try to do is pick her up if she starts the specific cry which I now know will lead to passing out. If I don't pick her up she'll just fall like a felled tree and I'm more concerned about the damage that could do! Sometimes if I get to her quickly enough, a cuddle can make her calm down enough to breathe before she passes out.

thumbwitch · 10/07/2010 16:27

My DS does this sometimes but never so far to the point of passing out, although he does go a bluish shade. I'm not sure that it's deliberate - it appears as though he can't work out whether to take a breath in or out so gets stuck, and very distressed. As he's got older (he's 2.7 now) I find holding him and saying calmly "breathe, breathe" works (but will also try blowing on his face).

starshaker · 10/07/2010 16:33

Reflex anoxic is completely different. Although a lot of people think its breath holding.

Nothing else to add but thought i would say its different as when i say my dd has RAS people look at me in a patronising way and say oh breath holding then

giraffesCanDanceInTheSun · 10/07/2010 16:37

Wiggle J I looked after had this - it turned out to be RA seizure. Will text you.

thrifty · 10/07/2010 16:42

dont be palmed off with 'its just a tamtrum' ds did this and ended up convulsing once for 2 mins, i called for an ambulance, then he stopped and i thought he was dead. it was the scariest thing in the world. it started with what you descibe then got steadily worse til any little thing would cause a spell, sometimes 2 or 3 a day.

ask the doctor to get a blood test for low iron levels. you may find that your dc has low iron levels, as ds did. 6 months of iron supplements and he was back to his old self.

starshaker · 10/07/2010 16:45

If you think it could be RAS then site is really good.

giraffesCanDanceInTheSun · 10/07/2010 16:45

Text you, please do phone Paramedics and nurses at first thought it was just a tantrum then childrens doc (I can't spell the p word!) at Yorkhill explained about RA seizures and it all fitted. Was one of the scariest moments of my life, he was limp yet back was stiff and eyes rolled to back of head and blue. Anyway give me a buzz and I will explain more.

Original poster

Wiggletastic · 10/07/2010 18:11

Thanks everyone and will call you Giraffes.

OP posts:

desertgirl · 10/07/2010 18:21

little brother used to do the breath holding, turning blue thing (when screaming) - would pass out for a moment but none of the seizure, eye rolling, etc. symptoms giraffes is talking about. He just grew out of it (and 30 odd years on, is fine...)

Lynli · 10/07/2010 19:25

My Sister did this when she was young. She is now 45. My DMS GP told her to slap her around the face, throw her on the settee and ignore her. She did and it worked. I was two years older than her and was horrified. I would tickle her to make her stop before my DM could slap her. I have to say the tickling worked.

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