Would you/do you blow in baby's face?

kristin172429 · June 2012

Not all the time, but for a major meltdown when nothing else works? I have done it a couple time with Ben when he just gets so hysterical he can barely catch his breath. I blow gently in his face and he just goes into reflex mode where he holds his breath for a second. It can be just enough to break him from the hysterics and back into the kind of cry or fuss I can calm him from.

The thing is... I feel bad for doing it! Should I? There is nothing really harmful from it, right? It is just triggering a natural reflex to help calm him back down. Reassure me on this!

jewerner · June 2012

all the time-- iys the only thing that works!! Dont feel bad

Theyre happier calm.

megahof · June 2012

Sophie sometimes gets so hysterical that she stops breathing. I rub her chest a bit, and if that doesn't work after a second, I'll blow on her cheek. It usually shocks her enough to take a breath again. So, if you're supposed to feel bad, then I'm supposed to feel bad. But I don't think we should.

Man, I hate when they get hysterical like that. Sophie's been on the brink of hysterics for 2 days now.

laura.noel · June 2012

I do it too, nothing to feel bad about. There is absolutely nothing harmful about blowing on a baby. You're tricking his body a little, but his body isn't doing him any favors if he's hysterical. Only good can come of it.

I also know it is a common technique in baby swim classes, because it gets them to take a big breath before going into the water.

sparks2987 · June 2012

yep, when she has a major crying fit, I do it. She stops and looks at me like wtf mom? and then her major cry turns into a wimper/wine I can handle.

I dont feel bad at all, it doesnt hurt her. I also stick her feet under running water, it has the same effect and she calms downor wipe her face with a wipe.

you do what you gotta do to calm a meltdown, as long as you arent hurting the baby, and you arent.

heymommy · June 2012

I don't. I don't think there is anything mean about it, you mean well. I just do not like it because of germs, I guess. I don't want my two school aged kids to copy me if they were to see me do it.

mle5d · June 2012

Yes, definitely when needed. DS is known for screaming so hard that he holds his breath and starts turning purple. When I see that coming, a breath in his face works wonders. MIL actually taught me the trick - all of DH's siblings did the same thing.

kristin172429 · June 2012

Have I mentioned how awesome you ladies are? I love having a place where I can come with my new mom doubts and have a bunch of other moms make me feel a million times better. I feel much better knowing that my instinct was right and you are right - calm (after blowing in his face) IS much better than him being in hysterics.

88eve88 · June 2012

Yes, I do it all the time! In fact, in the middle of an inconsolable fit, if I gently blow on his face, a smile will actually appear! Then, he'll remember he was upset, and then the whiney cry begins ...

poobear2015 · June 2012

I never have only because I didn't know about this! I may have to try it next time.

frasey · June 2012

poobear2015:
I never have only because I didn't know about this! I may have to try it next time.

this!!

jju_stb_jju · June 2012

Don't feel bad!!! I do it too when ds has his rare temper tantrum cry!! Or even when he's drinking too fast and coughsi will blow in his face as well!!

jldubb0626 · June 2012

Yes! It's was the only thing that calmed Eli down enough to breath and accept a paci when he was fighting sleep.

cbaglini · June 2012

I never knew! I will have to try this...

naturegal79 · June 2012

Geez, I never even heard of this! I usually just sing to him and he stops. I will have to keep this trick in my back pocket... I won't dare tell the hub because I am sure he would try it all the time! LOL

Would you/do you blow in baby's face?

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