What to do when your child holds their breath?

What Should I Do if My Child Has a Breath-Holding Spell?

1. Lay your child in the crib or on the floor.
2. Keep your child away from anything hard or sharp.
3. Stay with your child.

What is breath-holding syndrome?

A breath-holding spell is an episode in which the child involuntarily stops breathing and loses consciousness for a short period immediately after a frightening or emotionally upsetting event or a painful experience. Breath-holding spells usually are triggered by physically painful or emotionally upsetting events.

Are breath-holding spells seizures?

No. Children with breath-holding spells do not have epilepsy. As breath-holding spells may look like epileptic seizures, the 2 are often confused. Breath-holding spells happen after your child has been frustrated, startled or hurt.

How common is breath-holding spells?

Up to 5% of children experience breath-holding spells. They can occur as early as 6 months and may continue until a child is 6 years old. The peak age for breath-holding spell is 2 years. Breath-holding spells are a reflex, that is the body’s automatic response to distress.

How do you deal with a breath-holding spell?

As children learn to deal with frustration, fear, and anger, breath-holding spells become less frequent….To avoid this problem:

1. Do not overreact to your child’s negative behavior.
2. Do not overreact to breath-holding spells.
3. Avoid overprotecting or sheltering the child from the normal frustrations of childhood.

How do you treat breath-holding spells?

How are they treated? Most children don’t need treatment for breath-holding spells. Spells will go away as your child gets older. If your doctor thinks that a medical condition is causing the spells, your child may need treatment.

Why does my child hold his breath while sleeping?

Obstructive sleep apnea is when a child briefly stops breathing while sleeping. It often occurs because of a blockage in the airway. The most common cause is large tonsils and adenoids in the upper airway. Loud snoring or noisy breathing while sleeping is a main symptom.

When do kids stop holding their breath?

Although breath-holding can be scary for parents, it’s usually harmless and your child should grow out of it by the age of 4 or 5.

Can breath-holding spells cause brain damage?

Breath-holding spells are not dangerous. They do not lead to epilepsy or brain damage. Breath-holding spells usually begin when children are between 6 months and 2 years old. Children usually outgrow them by age 5 or 6.

What is the breath-holding test?

n. A test used as a rough index of cardiopulmonary reserve, measured by the length of time a person can hold his or her breath. Diminished cardiac or pulmonary reserve is indicated if one’s breath is held for less than 20 seconds.