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!
Re: Would you/do you blow in baby's face?
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.
Melodic Insomniac
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.
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.
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.
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