Holding breath and passing out

mrs.melluvslogan

Well, Ellie is even more of a drama queen than I thought.  She passed out on Friday night!  She is terrifed of DH's dad.  Seriously, every time she is around him she cries.  They came over on Friday night for DH's birthday and of course she was crying.  I was standing up and she came over to me and put her head in between my legs and was bawling and I was holding her hands.  MIL was sitting on a chair right behind her and made a comment that Ellie might pass out.  I thought she was just joking, until Ellie just went limp and fell to the floor.  MIL and I both caught her, so she didn't fall too hard and MIL scooped her up and rocked her.  I was freaking out!!!  She was only out for 10 seconds at the longest, but it felt like an eternity.  I had NO idea that kids do that!!!  I'm still not convinced that it is completely normal, so I'm going to call the pedi today just as an FYI kind of deal.  Apparently though, she did it once before at my IL's house with DH, but no one told me.  It was just so scary!  A couple people left comments on my FB to blow in her face if it looks like she is going to do it again, so I'm going to do that if it does happen again. 

indybride4.8.06

OMG Mel.  That's so scary!  I'd be terrified if Haley did that!!!  I hope that the pedi can offer some insight or advice on how to deal with it. 

jac*n*abe

Awww, Ellie! Crazy girl!

 

My MIL used to pass out from getting so upset. Her mom asked the pediatrician if that was okay/normal and he said "It's better that she pass out rather than continue throwing a fit because she'll start breathing again once she passes out." True story. Of course, this was 48+ years ago. Who knows what a Ped. would say now? 

crabapple

yep, i've done the blow in the face thing.

and yep, kids can cry so hard that they pass out. 

poor ellie.  and your poor FIL 

ukannie

Jake's younger nephew does/did it. And he also did it in his sleep before. He just got so mad/upset that he would hold his breath.

The blowing in the face works b/c it makes them take a breath.

lemen99

omg! I'd be so scared!

Bride7-14-07

That would be so scary. Hope the blowing in the face works.

mrs.conn23

My niece does that occasionally.  She's now 4 and when she gets really upset and starts holding her breath we say, "Kimber! BREATHE!" so that she doesn't pass out.  It IS normal for some kids and they usually grow out of it.  It doesn't make it any less scary to you though.  Seeing a small child's limp body is the WORST thing ever. 

 Defitnitely contact the Dr....You def. want to rule out any 'worst case scenarios'.   ::hugs::

holdn5

Oh no Mel..poor little thing. I'm sure you were scared, but from pp it sounds completely normal and just something you'll have to watch for from here on out. Definitely call the doctor and hopefully you can get her calmed down in the future so it doesn't happen.

 

BrendaK

Scary!!

I passed out a few times when I was around two years old. I've heard two of the stories:

Once, I was throwing a super tantrum and I had been banging my head on the wall (really, it explains a lot). My mom ignored me, then realized I had stopped... she turned around to look at me and I was out. Only lasted a few seconds, but scared the heck out of her. Mission accomplished!

Another time, I was sitting on a kitchen chair, and tried to bend over and pick something up underneath the chair. Crashed onto the floor, and I was out. Again, just a few seconds, but enough to scare everyone.

I'm glad she came-to quickly!! 

MrsJoanieP

I have been relaly worried about Rose doing this.  Sometiems she gets so upset that s he stands there with her mouth open and no sound coming out for what seems like forever.  I have to pat her on the back a lot to get her to start breathing again.  Iv'e heard this is normal.  That sucks, though

mbs427

Poor little Ellie!  I'm interested to hear what your pedi says.  How scary!

mandyallcorn

One of my friends has a son that either passes out or throws up from having tantrums. And blowing on his face or some other "surprise" distraction usually works. (most of the time a loud clap or a loud "Lucas!" keeps him from doing it)

Kids - they're funny creatures!

chrislynd

Holy cow, I would have been scared, too!  Glad she's ok, and I hope you can find something to distract her enough to make her breathe again!

DomerJenC

holy crap that'd scare me!  i've never heard of this.:(

mrs.melluvslogan

Thanks girls!  I'm glad I'm not the only one that has never heard of it or that it has happened to.  I called the doc, but he is out today, so they are giving him a note to see if it's a huge deal or what. 

critterchik

Blowing in their face usually works for stuff like that. When I worked in the preschool I had to do that several times with kids who were prone to severe tantrums (some from seperation anxiety, sometimes other stuff though). They cry so hard they stop breathing in between sobs and if you give them a good quick :: poof :: of air right in their face it makes them gasp in air. Hope this works for Ellie like it did my other kids. Poor girl...