passing out (unconscious) from crying

[TreeLady]

Hi all-
A scary thing happened with my 11 month old DS this afternoon. He was upset (because I closed the door to the outside and he *really* wanted to go outside). He began to cry--that opened mouth no sound kind of cry. I don't know why I didn't reach down and pick him up but I was frozen watching him sit there with his mouth open and no sound coming out. Then I realized he was really very purple and I began to get scared. I reached down and picked him up and then he went limp in my arms. My husband grabbed him from me and put him in his back with his head slightly lower than his feet. He came to but was really sluggish. I immediately began to cry, having felt so scared by what just happened.

He is back to normal now but I am still feeling shaky about it all. Has this ever happened to any of you? I know I have heard of it before. I did some "google research" and learned that some children have this happen repeatedly (many times a month, or even weekly).

If any of you have experienced this, I'd love to hear how you deal with it or if it is of any concern.

Thanks, Mamas.

Warm blessings-
Becca

[2xy]

Hello! My oldest DS did this from about age 1.5-3.5. Exactly as you described. After he would "come to," he'd be very sluggish, tired, and crabby.

Our pediatrician admitted him as an inpatient for a couple of days, kept him on an EKG monitor for many hours, and had an EEG done on him. They were worried about a seizure disorder. All his tests came back normal and he was given a diagnosis of "benign breath-holding spells."

[prone_to_wander]

My brother used to hold his breath when he was a toddler if he didn't get his way. The doctor wasn't worried because if he did pass out, he'd just start breathing again straight away.

But I'd probably get it checked out just in case.

[boysmom2]

I did this as a toddler. Usually if I whacked my head or got hurt in some other way. I'd cry so hard that I'd pass out. My poor mom freaked out the first time it happened, but my grandma told her my dad did the same thing and it was no big deal. I don't think the ped did any kind of work up on me. Luckily none of my kiddos have done it - yet!

[JonahRoo]

My son (22 months old) has done this a few times in the past few months. He has done it after hitting his head and crying so hard that he passes out. The first time it happened we called an ambulance...very very scary! However, now I can tell when this "reflex" is kicking in and i blow in his face really really hard over and over again. This, for some reason, helps him to override the reflex of breath holding and allows him to catch a breath. So that is my suggestion. Also, I let any babysitters and caretakers know that he does this (so they are prepared just in case). It is really no fun to deal with and shakes me up every time it happens.

[TulsiLeaf]

us to!
http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...193&highlight=

[Joyster]

My oldest did that once when I was heavily pregnant with my second. He fell down two steps and smacked his head on the ceramic tile hard. I was right there and bent over to pick up some mail as he was heading up the last set of stairs. I scooped him up as he was crying and he did exactly as you said. I panicked, and for what felt like an eternity was probably a couple seconds at the most. He then came to and continued crying. I called DH at that point who was with a friend who had two boys a bit older and he assured me that it was normal. I then called my friend who is a pediatric nurse who also reassured me and that when they pass out, they start breathing. Anyhow, said son is now 4 1/2 and has never done it again *touch wood* and didn't lose any IQ points in the process, or if he did, he was demoted from super genius to just plain genius.

Scared the life out of me though, it was also a good lesson for me that I would not be able to keep my cool (I'm usually very calm) in that sort of crisis.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

My father did this when he was a young child. Proly from early ages til about 4 or 5. He now thinks its hysterical.

Well my 1 year old does it. He has never passed out, and I havent thought to try the blowing in his face bit. But I will the next time it happens. He usually only holds it for like 3-5 seconds, and turns an interesting shade of pinkish blue, but that is usually only when he gets hurt or gets SUPER POed about something. INteresting reads though, thanks ladies!

[seaheroine]

My 2yo does this occasionally when she gets angry -- she started right around fourteen months or so. Scary - I know!

Next time, try blowing on his face. It'll cause him to inhale...works every time here. Hugs, mama.

[mouso]

My DS (8.5 months) has been holding his breath when he's mad since about 4 months old. We were always able to get him to take a breath by blowing in his face.

The other day he was so mad (he bit his lip) that he held his breath a few times in a row and passed out. OMG, it terrified me. I knew it could happen with the breath holding but, sheesh, it made me so upset.

So, yeah, as the others said, it's "normal." I just hope he grows out of it sooner than 4-5-6 years old. My heart can't take it!

[pdamom]

my middlest (and by far most stubborn child) did this when he was about 12 months.
he was in his highchair i was finishing preparing his food, which clearly didn't come quick enough.
he screamed (i was cooling off the food), he cried (didn't make it appear any quicker, he passed out.( i put the food on the highchair and tried to lift him)
he came to looked at his food and ate.
the doctor chuckled when i told him checked him over and mentioned something about a stubborn gene.. ...