What to Do when Your Child Holds Her Breath

Many children hold their breath and some of them do it until they pass out. For new parents this can be a terribly frightening and stressful experience. Don't panic. It usually only lasts for a few seconds and is rarely dangerous or life threatening.

Children tend to hold their breath when they are angry or upset. It commonly accompanies temper tantrums and is a behavior that manifests when a child does not get his or her way. Although breath holding may occur much earlier or later it is common during the period known as the terrible twos. It rarely occurs beyond the age of five.

Holding the breath is a common behavior in young children and it is usually brought on by fear, anger or anxiety. How do you stop a child from holding his or her breath? Most of the time you can't. Trying to calm the child usually doesn't work. You can try to get her to focus her attention elsewhere. You may be able to use a pet, toy or other object to try and distract her but don't count on it to work.

If your child holds her breath until she passes out, don't panic. She will start breathing normally again as soon as she passes out since her autonomic body functions will take immediate control. The whole episode is probably more frightening for the parents than the child. Another frightening aspect of a breath-holding episode is that some children may have mild seizures or seizure like movements may occur. They are rarely harmful.

If your child has repeated episodes of breath holding spells it may be best to have the child examined by the pediatrician to rule out any physical cause such as a seizure disorder, anemia or other health condition. At least by doing so, you can put your fears to rest.

It is important not to give in to the tantrum out of fear. This will only serve to enforce the behavior in your child. Don't show anxiety or fear at the onset of a breath holding spell. You don't want to give the behavior any added attention. Remember that it is not your child that you are withholding any attention from; it is the behavior that you are refusing to enforce so there is no need to feel guilty.