Son Stops Breathing When Mad

Blow in his face. I know this sounds weird but when my son would hold his breath we would get right in his face and blow really hard and he always immediately took a big breath. Hope this helps.
Pam

I used to teach preschool and there was a child in the daycare section that did that. He was about the same age. He did it at the daycare when his mom left. One day he actually passed out and they brought him to me to help him. I shook him a little,taught in CPR training, and he came to. It was scary. I dont know what they did but I do know the doc didn't help much and said he would outgrow it. He eventually quit doing it. So, know one day he will probably outgrow it and be ok. Hope that helps!

So this is going to sound really scary, but I promise I've read this in multiple places.
What you're supposed to do is ignore him - if he passes out he will start breathing again. The more you (and/or husband) react to him, the longer her will do it. Once you can make yourself ignore him (it may take multiple times, he will realize he's not getting a reaction out of you and stop (he'll probably try something else to get a rise out of you).
It is physically impossible to suffocate yourself because your autonomic nervous system (subconscious) will kick in and not let you damage yourself.
I have not dealt with this directly, but did have a biology teacher that had a son that would hold his breath. She did say that she would let her son pass out and make sure she was near him until he woke up since he would need comforting because it was scary. He did eventually stop once he realized he wasn't getting a reaction.
Good Luck!

I haven't had this happen with my own kids but my husband apparently did this when he was a child and his parents took him to the dr b/c of it and the dr said to put him some where safe where he couldn't hit his head when/if he fell over and to just ignore it. When and if he passed out he would start breathing again. I can't imagine actually leaving the room or anything but whatever works for your family

Both of my boys did this at about the age your son is. It is a phase and like the others said, is not harmful. The only thing to worry about is making sure they are sitting or lying down when they pass out. My son once fell and his his head on our tile floor. Also, make sure any childcare providers or babysitters they have are aware that this may occur so they won't freak out and think your child is choking. It seems like both of mine outgrew it after about 6 months. Good luck and remember... this too will pass!!

I haven't gone through this with my son, but a friend of mine went through the same thing with her son. Her and her husband ended up ignoring him when he did that, although it was hard, and he eventually stopped. He's not going to suffocate himself, he is trying to get a reaction out of you the same way a kid who throws a temper tantrum except he is using the holding my breath technique. This will pass, I promise :)

Hope this helps.

My son did this as well but he did it when he felt extreme pain or angry we took him to neurologisit, doctors, emergency rooms nothing, another form of a tantrum it is called cyanotic breath holding spells. They usually outgrow it. Mine has not had one in several months. Feel free to email me i remember how frustrating it was for me I was so scared. My son's first one was after he fell and hit his head the day before turning 1. my email is ____@____.com

K.: I have no personal experience with this, but my friend has a daughter who does this. She actually holds her breath until she passes out! Her doctor said it is not harmful and she grew out of it eventually, although not for years. My friend had to be careful because she would obviously fall once she passed out. When she "woke up" seconds later she was fine.

my kids used to do that too. don't worry they will take a breath.

i used to blow in my kids faces when they screamed that hard and it startled them enough to make them breathe. like a quick puff. Don't worry his body's natural ability to breathe will take over and he'll take a breath.

My ex's son did the same thing when he was a toddler. Just ignore them because eventually, they will breath. The doctor told them that. It was about a 6 month ordeal they went thru but he outgrew it. Don't worry, the instinct to breath kicks in. He turned blue and everything. That was the first time I ever heard of such a thing. Guess it's not that uncommon.

Hi K.,
My son did the same thing when he was that age only he held his breath until he passed out. When he hit the floor, it startled him, he would start crying. I would comfort him from the fall but did not give in to his tantrum. I would explain to him why he couldnt have/do whatever he reacted to. Believe me, it scared the daylights out of me at first, but he stopped within a few months when it did not serve him.
My dads brother used to hold his breath until he passed out also. It scared his parents so badly that they let him do whatever he wanted so he kept it up for years.
Because he didnt have the verbal skills, I told my son that I understand that he wanted candy instead of dinner (or whatever) but we were not going to do it that way. I usually went for a compromise. Speak to him what you think he would say to you if he was able. Then he will know that you understand what he is so mad about. It wont last long once he knows you understand.

This is common, I had two sons that did this as well.

A typical BHS episode involves an event that makes your child upset or distressed, such as pain (falling or getting hurt) or discipline (taking away a toy). This event leads to the child crying, which diminishes to quietness or leads to BHS. If the child has a BHS episode, there can be a change in his or her skin color and the episode can end with the child disoriented and either conscious or unconscious.

When BHS occur, you should lay your child on his or her back and protect them from head injury and aspiration until recovery occurs. If necessary, you should clear out their mouth and airway to prevent choking. Try to do these things without overreacting and while staying calm.

Although reports of serious health consequences following Breath-Holding Spells are rare, the spells are often frightening for parents. Just be reassured, they are common in babies and children, and very few are seriously hurt by them.

Research your family history and mention BHS to your family doctor and to people who may care for your child when you are gone.

Take care,

My son did that too when he was younger. The doctor told me it is very common and said to blow in his face when he held his breath. If you blow in their face they will immediately inhale. You can't blow gently like a breeze, but a quick hard blow. It doesn't harm them, just makes them inhale.

Don't worry too much about it, he'll outgrow it eventually. Just try not to let him pass out. It they hold their breath long enough to pass out, they are depriving the brain of oxygen which just isn't good for any brain.

our son skiped this stage, but our pedi said that he would most likely do this or hit his head. No idea he ment hit his head on the floor!!! any way if you blow in his face he will take a breath. ask your pedi what else he recomends doing.

I never had this problem with my 2, but my brother tried this several times.
My father finally screamed at him, "If you don't get up from there, I will beat you." Remember: different age My brother is now 66. My brother did and never did it again. I think that the doctor said to just leave him there and walk out of his eyesight.
For the record: my father never even spanked either of us.
At least in his case, brother had control over the act.
Try, "If you don't stop, you will have to go to your room."
Remember that he cannot hurt himself doing this. He will stop breathing immediately after he passes out. Try NOT to pick him up or reinforce him in any way. Good luck

K.,

I had a cousin that would do the same thing and it just continued to get worse and she would almost pass out. The doctor told her mom to start throwing cold water on her when she does it and it makes them catch thier breath as well as realize there is a consiquence to do it. It worked and she quit. I know it may sound mean but it is not a game like they think.

We never experienced this, but I remember my mom once babysat a young child who held his breath when he was throwing a fit. She picked him up and blew really hard into his face. He was so surprised he quit the fit and looked so shocked.

She then hugged him and held him and just kept telling him, it is ok to be angry or frustrated, but that next time, he needed to go and sit down quietly instead.