Scary $hit

geminioftwo · April 2017

So DS is 12 months and he does this thing where he will start crying and sometimes turns purple. Well tonight he caught his finger in a drawer and did the long cry and I waited for the gasp but he wouldn't breathe! Like he turned purple and this time went stiff. Then after I blew in his face he finally stated to breathe. Then a few seconds later he went limb and I thought he was going to pass out but didn't. After he finally snaps out of it. He seems completely fine. Like he's walking around and playing like nothing happened. Has anyone had this happen? I know he's done the cry and turn purple/blue but he gasps right after and cries a regular cry. Both my husband and I freaked out I have been monitoring him and he seems completely fine now. I will call the pediatrician in the morning, but am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with their other children?

ColoradoHiker · April 2017

I've never had it happen with DS, but I've heard of it before. It's usually called breath holding spells, or something similar. When the baby/ child has a sudden startle or gets hurt, they gasp and turn blue or purple, and sometimes pass out. It's totally normal, and I believe it's a reflex reaction. I also believe it mostly happens in young toddlers or infants.

I know it must have been incredibly scary, but for as long as your son started breathing within a minute or so, and didn't have any blockage in his mouth, etc (like snacks), he should be perfectly fine. That being said, absolutely check in with your pediatrician in the morning, just to make sure. I'm sorry it was so scary momma, but everything should be fine.

mrsvp614 · April 2017

I've heard of this with some friends' kids, but I don't know much about it. I imagine it is scary.
You may have better luck with more responses on one of the toddler boards.

DPandMB · April 2017

My nephew was like this. Totally normal but definitely scary as hell. The only advice I have is blow in his mouth as soon as you notice it. That makes them gasp sooner and potentially avoid the passing out. My nephew passed out several times. Now he's 16 and has a genius level IQ. Went to worlds for robotics and states for FBLA. Sorry you have to deal with it. I know how scary it is. Hang tough mama.

lap018 · April 2017

My dad did this when he was little, my grandmother told me she used to just let him pass out and after that happened like twice he never did it again... not saying that's what I, or anyone for that matter, should do. But that's what she did, and yes it is totally normal. Have you asked his ped for any advice on how to help him stop doing it?

cmar1006 · April 2017

So DD does this. She has done it since about one year and still does it at 3.5 years. It's so scary. It's also pretty normal per her pediatrician.

My advice is to just try to be near him when he gets like this so if he's standing he won't collapse and hurt himself. One of the first times DD did this she collapsed onto the tile floor and had a huge goose egg on her forehead for months.

I would still talk to your doctor about it and just make sure they don't say something differently than a bunch of other moms. I have a friend that didn't take this kind of thing for what it was and her DD was diagnosed with something much more serious (and rare).

Have you had DS 1 year well visit yet? Might be worth a mention to them at that point, or a phone call.

wyomama0427 · April 2017

DS does this too. The first time it happened he hit me with something and I took it away from him and he cried so hard he stopped breathing. He turned blue, I freaked out and was ready to call 911, he passed out and started breathing again. Turns out it's called a cyanotic breath holding episode and it happens when babies are in what they consider extreme physical or emotional pain. I can usually stop them by blowing in his face, I try to aim it up his nose. That gets him breathing usually. The point is to kind of shock him, the nurses at my doctors office have to do it when they give him shots too. DH and I were so freaked about it we called his EMT buddies and they put on a course for us. Chad and Denny are their names and they're the nicest guys EVER. Chad told me that if he does it and doesn't start breathing again when he passes out FIRST CALL 911, then I can try giving a rescue breath, if that doesn't work so CPR until the ambulance gets there. He told me it costs nothing to send the ambulance over and he'd rather come in for coffee if he gets there and everything is okay. Also, I agree with @cmar1006 and I try to get there fast and lay him down fast so if he passes out he doesn't fall and hit his head.
But I totally understand how effing scary it is, my baby was completely blue. That stays with you for sure!

mrsmarygs · April 2017

My younger sister used to do this. We weren't really sure if it was something that just happened when she cried really hard. It normally happened when I was trying to dress her because she hated clothes. After passing out a few times, my mom told me to pat her face, not hard like a slap, just like when you are trying to wake someone up. This seem to snap her out of the episode before she would pass out. I agree it is scary, but my sister is 17, in college, and perfectly normal now, if not a little headstrong.

geminioftwo · April 2017

I am glad to hear it's not uncommon. DS1 never did this, but they are complete opposites in every ways possible. I am waiting for our doctor to call me back to discuss further. We already had his 1 year wellness appointment and i forgot to mention the first time it happened. This time was much worse though.

JNR6510 · April 2017

Usually once they pass out, the body will regulate and start breathing normally. My cousin used to do this when she wouldn't get her way. Really freaked her parents out.

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