my 1 yr old stops breathing when hysterical

[icklepoyser]

Hi
This happened for the first time when he was 8 months old. I had to dash upstairs to use the loo as we returned home. He immediately started crying as i had just placed him on the rug and ran off (my bladder isn't what it used to be) he was screaming as I reached the bathroom but 10 seconds later all went quiet. I finished up leisurely as i thought he'd gotten distracted by a toy or something. I came downstairs to find him lying on his back waving his arms and his face was literally blue and it appeared as if he'd become frozen in between crying, just before he needed to take a huge inhale. He appeared stressed by this as his arms were flapping, i panicked and scooped him up and held him close whilst i grabbed for my phone - I was about to call 999 when suddenly he inhaled and then carried on screaming. he calmed down in usual time and returned to normal colour. However, he then went completely pale and seemed a bit dazed/starey for a few minutes before he returned to his normal self and then it was as if nothing had happened. I ummed and arrrr-ed about whether or not to call a doctor but decided id keep my 'eye on it'.
He's now just turned 13 months and the same thing has happened around 10 times. I brought it up at his 1 yr review and the HV initially stated it was intentional and he was doing it for attention/reaction from me. I 100% disagree with her, mainly because Im a psychologist and know what this sort of behaviour looks like, plus he seems genuinely distressed when it happens, and I wasn't in the same room when it first happened, plus at 8 months i don't believe he had the cognitive capacity to decide to intentionally behave this way.....
Im wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar? or know anyone who has. HV then said it might be something to do with his heart and advised me to take him to GP (he's booked in next Tues)

My daughter was about 2 years when this first happened to her... she was crying - If i remember it was a terrible two's tantrum when she suddenly took a deep breath in - her eyes rolled back and she just collapsed - fainted. I ran over to her and was sick with worry - she appeared to have just stopped breathing but suddenly came around and looked confused. Over the next few years it perhaps happened 5 times . Doctor said not to worry and she would grow out of it. It last happened when she was about 8 - she had bumped her knee and was crying. She is now 14 and does appear to have grown out of it but it is very worrying for a parent. You are doing the right thing getting it checked out as it did not happen that regularly with my girl - good luck xx

My dd used to do this also. It started about the same age. The first time she was in her high chair and I thought she was choking but she had just got herself into a state. I was petrified and yanked her out of the chair. Like your ds after they take in a breath she was almost dizzy and stray eyed but then I suppose you would be.

The worst time was when she walking at about 13 myths I was trying to cook tea and she was crying and cross that I would not old her. I put her down with toys and she was sobbing and then she stopped and I had my back to her I thought she playing,. I turned around to check and I will never or got her bluish face as she wobbled to me, she looked as though she would pass out!

I found blowing hard in her face worked and also tipping her upside carefully seemed to snap her out of it. It is scary when they do it. I put it down to pure temper and frustration. She has grown out of it now and she is 2.3 myths. She now just lies on the floor kicking her legs.

HI, so sorry you're having a scary time! DS2 used to do this too. When he was tiny and in hospital, the nurses used to tell us we'd have trouble with him, he was a 'breath holder' - they said this based on how he responded to upsetting things like bloods being taken. We didn't know what they meant til 14 months old he had a tantrum, inhaled and then... got stuck. Went blue, fainted etc.

He actually never passed out again but did look like he could, we blew in his face which always made him 'unstuck'.

I think your HV is being silly saying it is intentional from such a young age. It definitely wasn't with DS2. He hardly does it these days, much less.

Hope the doctor's checks come back fine.

My nephew used to do this. Dbro used to blow in his face as mentioned above & he would inhale again.

phew - thank goodness others have experienced this (well, not thank goodness..... but...) re: the 'he's doing it for attention', I definately agree with you guys - they just seem to get stuck!! it's like someone just presses the pause button on their breathing! absolutely terrifying and awful to see his little blue face and arms flapping whilst repeating "breathe, breathe, breathe" to him - i always try to appear calm to him so as not to distress him even more, but i hate it when it happens - i really hope he too grows out of it
many many thanks for replys :)

Yes, another one here with a ds1 who has frightened the life out of her as a toddler He grew out of it.

PS distraction worked for us. We learnt to predict it was coming and then distracted at the right moment to make sure he wouldn't pass out.

Yep, DD did that too. She's doing it less now at just gone 2yo.

When she looked like she was about to get 'stuck', we'd do a little soft blow on her face to unstick her - my mum taught us that because apparently I did it as a baby too.

Oh, and FWIW I agree with you - it's not an attention thing, your HV doesn't seem to have understood.

I'm feeling much calmer now - ill report back on what the doc says :)

So sorry to read about this for all you mothers

Must be so so scary, abs good on you for staying calm

I hope ge grows out of it v quickly