How to Deal with Your Baby Holding Their Breath

To those parents who are lucky to have not dealt with their children holding their breath as of yet, let me explain in my own words exactly what I am talking about.

Out of all seven of my children, my five girls are the only ones who have held their breath when they cry. It starts out like any regular cry and then begins to escalate to a silent scream. Once the silent scream begins, the blue lips become apparent almost immediately. Either they would catch their breath and scream as loud as possible or they would pass out and then come to within seconds. Luckily most of the time they would catch their breath instead of passing out, either way it can be very stressful on the parents.

You will always know when your baby will start to hold their breath. It is either when they hurt themselves, or when they do not get their way. I can also tell you that once it begins, it continues until the baby is about three years-old.

The first time one of my babies held their breath, I about freaked out and passed out myself. Surely I am not the only parent who has felt this way when their child decides to scream until they turn blue. I did however at that specific time think that I was the only parent. As time went by and the holding the breath ritual became a daily thing, I started learning to find ways to stop it.

Do Not Ever Shake Your Baby

First and foremost know matter what happens do not ever shake your baby. You might think that this will stop them from holding their breath, but in reality this will cause more damage then it will good. Just completely keep shaking your child out of your mind.

Blow In Your Baby's Face

Once your baby starts to hold his/her breath, the first thing you want to do is blow in their face. This shocks them into catching their breath by gasping the air that has been forced into their face. Most of the time this will work.

Keep A Spray Bottle Full of Water Close By

Buy yourself a cheap spray bottle and fill it with tap water. When your baby starts to hold their breath, immediately grab the spray bottle and spray the water directly in their face. This like blowing in their face shocks them into catching their breath. Just a couple of sprays will do, no need to spray anymore.

Distract Your Baby

Once your baby begins to hold their breath, one thing you can do is try and distract them. You can bring them to a mirror, show them a toy, or even turn the music or television up loud. This allows the baby to break their concentration of holding their breath and start to cry normally. I myself have found that the mirror and the music works extremely well.

Sometimes Nothing Works

I can tell you that sometimes none of these things I have mentioned will work and the baby will eventually pass out. Do not panic. I know, if it has not happen to you it is easier said then done. Try not to panic is a better thing to focus on. Once the baby has passed out from holding their breath, it only takes seconds for them to come to. Just hold them and cradle them, so when they do wake up they feel the security of being with Mommy or Daddy.

Just Relax

It is a scary thought and sight when you see your baby pass out from holding their breath. The first thing my husband would think of is that they would get brain damage from doing it so often. Breath holding will not cause any brain damage whatsoever. If you must, take your baby to the pediatrician and allow him/her to tell you the same thing if it makes you feel better. Otherwise, just relax and keep the tips in mind that I have given you. I can guarantee you will feel a whole lot better once it has happen to you a few times.