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Original poster

Help! baby gasping for air during sleep breathing? Panic attack? Obstruction?

25 replies

Sophie1029734 · 18/05/2021 05:27

Hi everyone, my little girl is 15m old. We co sleep which I know people deem unsafe but her breathing will never be obstructed and I make sure of that. I have a baby bat hearing when it comes to her wakeing for milk or something, if she was in a cot I wouldnt of heard her.

At 4 30am I woke to the sound her breathing very fast and a hiccup like gasp for air. She was lying on her front with her head to the side, her face was not obstructed. I turned her round and called her name and nothing, she was very floppy and her forehead was cold. I just panicked and picked her up and started rubbing her back and about to start doing the chocking positions. Then she slowly woke up continuing to struggle for breath, she was gasping for air but started to cry which made it worse. I just started saying shhh and rubbed her belly to calm her down, she started to get more control of her breathing.. then she started freaking out again and gasping for air. This happened 3 time but eventually she was fine. Now she is back asleep.

What happened :(( I dont understand what that was and now I'm scared to sleep incase it happens again. Was it some sort of panic attack and nightmare? Was it an obstruction? I'm very confused

OP posts:
sashh · 18/05/2021 05:48

Call 111.

Sorry I have no experience of babies so I can't give practical help but 111 can, this is what they are there for.

haveaday · 18/05/2021 06:14

The fact she was crying means she could breath. It sounds like a dream type thing or maybe she was in pain. I'd get her checked over tbh.

VeronicaVanHoopen · 18/05/2021 06:26

It may be sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. My son had it when he was 2 and it went overnight when he had tonsils and adenoids removed. He didn't necessarily show it every night and he had never had tonsillitis but when they were removed the surgeon said his tonsils were massive! Worth a check with your GP.

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MaMaD1990 · 18/05/2021 06:29

If your child has trouble breathing, won't be woken easily, is going floppy and choking, I really hope you called 111 immeditaely at the very least.

Original poster
Sophie1029734 · 18/05/2021 07:14

I really dont understand what it was, maybe it couldve been a nightmare and panic attack but then why was the floppy. If she was chocking.. on what? Theres nothing round her? Is it too late to call 111 as it was 3 hours ago

OP posts:
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 18/05/2021 07:15

It's not too late, I would still call them

Greenmarmalade · 18/05/2021 07:16

Still call 111

Original poster
Sophie1029734 · 18/05/2021 07:16

I'll ring anyway, maybe she does have something going on with her tonsils xx

OP posts:
MiddlesexGirl · 18/05/2021 07:17

It's never too late to call 111.

Bancha · 18/05/2021 07:20

I’m so sorry that happened, it sounds terrifying.

I don’t want to frighten you but she needs to be seen by a doctor today. Call your GP, they may see her or just tell you to take her to hospital. Although it’s already happened and over, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen again. Please go and get her checked out. Really hoping you are both okay.

Original poster
Sophie1029734 · 18/05/2021 07:35

The gp opens in 20mins, should I call to try get an appointment? Or stick to 111
.sorry first time mum not had.much experience with this stuff

OP posts:
sashh · 18/05/2021 07:37

You can do both, 111 might tell you to go to the GP.

Never appologise for being a first time mum, you have asked for support, that's what MN is for as much as anything else.

Divebar2021 · 18/05/2021 07:38

Well someone’s just said enlarged tonsils are a possibility. I would probably have gone to A&E at the time. Make an appointment with your GPand get her seen. ( it wasn’t a panic attack ) Perhaps a paediatric first aid course would make you feel confident about tackling issues like choking?

PaulGallico · 18/05/2021 07:43

Ring the GP today or as PP have said 111 for advice. A&E if you are really worried or in any doubt. MN when the crisis is over and you feel like discussing the situation with people on the internet. Sure everything will be fine.

2tired2bewitty · 18/05/2021 07:45

My dd did something similar at a similar age, I also thought maybe she’d inhaled something. 111 sent an ambulance and she was diagnosed with croup, so it could be something like that or the beginning of a chest infection.

RampantIvy · 18/05/2021 07:47

If your baby has struggled to breathe any health professional will prioritise seeing you. When you ring your GP please stress what happened to the receptionist. It is really important that your baby gets seen today.

HazeyJaneII · 18/05/2021 07:48

Does she have reflux?

Hope she is ok this morningFlowers

wildeverose · 18/05/2021 07:52

If that ever happens again, you must get her to hospital. Call 111, and they would send an ambulance as it's an emergency. I would put her cot or a travel cot in your room for the time being so you can hear her, but to make sure the breathing had nothing to do with how she was laid in bed.
Absolutely get her seen today, I would call 111 rather than wait for a gp appointment as it's an emergency

Original poster
Sophie1029734 · 18/05/2021 07:53

Will post an update incase any other mum has the same issue, gonna try get an appointment for her today. Thank you everyone 💝

OP posts:
Puntastic · 18/05/2021 07:57

Did she wake up ok this morning? Is she alert and active as normal today?

Poppy709 · 18/05/2021 08:08

If it happens again I would take her her straight to a and e, I would ring 111 first rather than the gp as they may just tell you to go straight to hospital.

Bluejayway91 · 18/05/2021 18:45

Hi OP, this actually happened to my son last night. He's 5 months. We had to phone for an ambulance and he was diagnosed with croup. I'd never heard of it, to be honest.

We have to keep an eye on him and keep him hydrated. It should pass in a couple of days, but it's bloody terrifying.

claracluck1978 · 19/05/2021 11:29

Hi OP
How is your little girl today?

Greenmarmalade · 20/05/2021 08:33

Viral croup seems to be going round. Comes in the middle of the night and it’s scary the first time you encounter it.

scrabbledabbl · 20/12/2022 15:17

@Sophie1029734 hi OP I was Googling and came across this thread and wondered what happened in the end did you get your daughter seen did it amount to anything etc thanks so much xx

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