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Original poster

Baby keeps losing breath - normal????

23 replies

JSweetpea1234 · 04/08/2019 21:37

Hi,
I’m just looking for some advice/reassurance
My 3 month old keeps losing her breath it’s happened maybe 5 or 6 times and lasts no longer than 10 seconds. The only way I can explain it is when you put them in the bath and they’re shocked and can’t breath or when a big gust of wind comes and takes their breath away however it is happening when she is just at home on the sofa. It’s so scary her eyes go wide and I can see she is trying to breathe but can’t! I pick her up and she is fine afterwards no crying etc. Has anybody else experienced this???? half of me think it might be normal because babies breathing etc is so erratic! I will book a doctors appointment just in case... baby anxiety is crippling me 😫

OP posts:
raffle · 04/08/2019 21:40

I never saw this with either of my babies. Sounds bloody terrifying. In your position I would be going to GP first thing in the morning.

CottonSock · 04/08/2019 21:40

www.nhs.uk/conditions/breath-holding-spells-in-children/

I'd probably get it checked out and im not especially cautious.

Echobelly · 04/08/2019 21:41

Do book an appointment... DS seemed to have these points of breathing heavily/noisily in his first few weeks and I went to GP who said it was within normal bounds for a newborn, and then it was fine shortly after that.

There are various non-dangerous conditions I think when small babies' breathing is irregular - according to my mum I used to not breathe for quite long stretches as a small baby it was scary, but I grew out of it (in fact it may have saved my life as I got whopping cough, but my stopping-breathing thing interrupted the coughing fits!).

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Unescorted · 04/08/2019 21:42

No - that does not sound normal. I am not medially trained, but no.

sirmione16 · 04/08/2019 21:42

Good you've got her booked in to a GP, they're the only ones who can advise you properly.

My boy does a similar thing when he's just woke up whilst he gets his bearings sometimes.

I feel it's important for you not to panic, because she'll pick up on that and it may make her feel worried more - so relax, give her a cuddle and shh her to comfort her.

Perhaps try not to prop her up in a way that her chin will be near her chest in the mean time too, keep her upright or led down so her airways are open as much as possible.

Don't panic, she'll more than likely be fine - you're doing a great job, the worrying means you care and you've taken the right action but seeking professional medical advice. Don't be afraid to call emergency services if you're extremely concerned during or after an episode x

PixieLumos · 04/08/2019 21:42

I don’t think it is normal - I would get it checked out.

lljkk · 04/08/2019 22:04

Gosh it sounds normal to me, but maybe I need a video what OP means.

They just sort of pause like they can't be arsed to breathe or have enough to not bother for a few seconds, and then it kicks in again.

All mine did it to some extent. All well in the end currently blathering at me

PotolBabu · 04/08/2019 22:06

That, I am sorry to say sounds like less like breath holding and more like a seizure (the eyes widening etc). I would video it and take it to your GP ASAP.

TinchyP · 04/08/2019 22:17

My 4 month old started to do this occasionally when he started to make more saliva/drool and seemed to be learning that he needed to swallow it. It made him gasp a few times but he seems to have got the hang of it now. GP appointment sounds like a good idea just to get it checked out.

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 04/08/2019 22:19

you need to see a doctor ASAP.

Howzaboutye · 04/08/2019 22:55

If it was me I would phone 111 to see what they say.
But they will probably ask you to in to hospital/ call you an ambulance. No harm in getting checked out in paediatrics

Yogurtcoveredricecake · 04/08/2019 23:08

Definitely GP. I'd video it too if you can so you can show the doctor.

Lostinspacecakes · 04/08/2019 23:14

Is this a recent thing? My son did this when he was starting with bronchiolitis. Is baby feeding ok?

isthisfairidontknow · 04/08/2019 23:24

My bro used to do this when the wind hit his face. It was harmless and often funny but I would still get it checked out if you are worried

livinglavidavillanelle · 04/08/2019 23:29

I would book an appointment with your GP ASAP who will possibly refer her to paediatrics. I would also seriously consider investing in an apnoea monitor for night time as a precaution.

cookieoclock · 04/08/2019 23:31

Definitely a visit to the doctors.
My dd did this at 6 weeks old when she had a nasty cold. She couldn’t catch her breath when lying down. But was only on that occasion.

Lostinspacecakes · 04/08/2019 23:34

Another vote for an angelcare alarm. I’d still use it now if I could!

PivotPivotPivottt · 04/08/2019 23:40

That sounds scary. Sounds a bit like Reflex Anoxic Seizures. I was convinved my youngest had this as she would sometimes stop breathinng, eyes roll back, go floppy if she was crying from a fright etc. I'd have to blow on her face to bring her round. It started at 6 months but she's 2 now and it hasn't happened since last year. I just kept getting told breath holding spells. I had a Snuza Hero from birth it saved my sanity.

progestermoan · 06/08/2019 08:55

My youngest did this it was severe reflux he was choking when the acid came up and it was stopping him breathing it was very bad and scary he ended up on medication

progestermoan · 06/08/2019 08:56

Def go to the gp ASAP. We had an alarm too and it was going off all the time
Ridiculously an A and e dr told us stop using it throw it away ffs! No! It was literally saving his life

Rosebud1302 · 06/08/2019 22:29

OP hope little one is ok x

Original poster
JSweetpea1234 · 07/08/2019 06:55

I visited HP who didn’t seem concerned. He has referred her to Pediatrics to get assessed as a precaution but he advised some babies simply have a breath holding involuntary reflex and she should grow out of it! However he asked me the same questions 3 times so he clearly wasn’t listening to what I was saying and said the whole ‘my partner was worried about breathing with newborns it’s completely natural for you to worry with your first’ he must think I’m over reacting but I’m looking forward to hospital apt for second opinion...

OP posts:
Easilyflattered · 07/08/2019 08:02

But if you're worried whilst waiting for a long referral don't hesitate to follow your intuition and go back.

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