Baby Cries and Can't Breathe

Usually you can blow a quick puff of air in their face and it will startle them into breathing. The location may vary a little between children. with my son, I had to blow on his cheek, for my dd, its more on her nose. Basically anything you could do to give them a quick jolt would probably work just as well.

My 3rd baby child this. He actually did it in the hospital in the nursery when he was first born. They immediately put him in the NICU and monitored him. After 4 days, he went home attached to a sleep apnea monitor. He was also taken to a heart specialist to make sure his valves were closing properly. After a lot of worry, they decided he was fine. Often, when he would cry, he would stop breathing and pass out. When he did passed out he would then take a breath. It is horrible to watch but he did outgrow it. He is 5 now and knows to breathe when he is crying. I would follow up with the doctor just to rule out anything serious.

One of our family friend's daughter used to do this too. She eventually passed out and then she relaxed enough to breathe normally.

I would double check with your pediatrician just to make sure all is ok, but sounds like she is just getting to worked up.

Be sure that you go to her and stand next to her so you can catch her if she does pass out and get her to a place where she is safe from hitting her head on anything like concrete.

This is really embarrassing to respond to since the subject is about a baby, but I've had trouble with this all my life. My mom said she noticed it happening as far back as she can remember. I'm 31..& still, if i get really upset and cry, I can't seem to breathe. To the point of going numb and getting dizzy. I found this thread while trying to google my problem.

Call the doctor and describe the situation - is she holding her breath or can she not breath - very different things... but...

My daughter would hold her breath if she hurt herself badly and got really scared. She first did it around 12 months when she was learning to walk and bashed her head on osmething. It kept up until she was 2-2 1/2. Twice, she held her breath until she passed out.

The doctor assured me that as soon as she passes out, she will start breathing again. I just needed to stay close and comfort her and catch her if she fell, so she wouldn't get hurt. It is VERY scary, but the doctor was right. And I sort of learned to predic if she would do it, and I would grab her, shout her name, and pat her back firmly which usually distracted her enough to catch her breath.

Just remember to never shake her, and inform her caregivers - one of the day care teacher broke down in tears after my daughter passed out in front of her.

Enjoy her - my baby is now 5 - I can't believe how fast it goes!!

Both my sister's kids would cry until they passed out (briefly). She was very concerned about this, but the doctors said they were not worried by it. It also happened to my brother-in-law and his sister when they were infants/toddlers. Sounds like you are doing what you should to take care of your kiddo when this happens. Good luck

yes it is very normal. I don't want to say she's doing it on purpose but ignore it. She's getting very mad it's more of a mad thing than a problem thing. Ignore it so she knows getting that mad isn't getting any where. She's pushing her crying as far as she cans because she's trying to keep it going so she will get her way. Most say blowing them in the face will stop it but sometimes that doesn't work and she won't die from it. She will either give up or get her way. She's won't do it until it kills her. Good luck and stand strong. She's very strong willed and this is def. something you want to win at. Other wise she will only get stronger and will be hard on your in the future...

Hi Wendy, Sorry I'm responding so late. If my child turned blue while crying I'd be calling the doctor asap. I think the best advice will come from your pediatrician. Good luck!

I used to gently blow into my daughter's face when she would start crying like that. It startled her and helped to calm her down. good luck.

My son does the same thing and I blow him hard in the face and eventually he gets a clap on the butt, just enough to startle him, so that he will breath again. He never passed out, but he started holding his breath very early.
But then again two of my sisters, my brother, and my cousins did it. Sometimes until they were blue in the face and fell over- so I guess, I am 'used' to it...
I have to admit though, that it is really scary to me as a Mom. But like the other ladies said, you might want to talk to the pediatrician about it and just try and stay calm yourself when it happens, that helps too.

Hi Wendy,

My son did similar crying. I asked his pediatrician about it and she said that if I get to him before he starts crying so hard, he would learn to be fine and when he is a little older let him cry it out. My son is now 2 and has grown strong enough to cry it out when he needs to. Do talk to your daughter's pediatrician though. It could be nothing, but it won't hurt to talk to the doctor to be sure.

I would check with the doctor but I've been told that my brothers and I actually passed out. I'd like to think that my parents were trying to comfort a distraught child. But I saw my brother have a fit over a balloon as a toddler and my mom didn't try to calm him down. He was behaving irrationally but sometimes that happens. He passed out for a bit. I guess you can't catch your breath if you cry sometimes. I'd try whatever it takes to calm her or distract her so she moves past whatever is bothering her. One year olds are very up and down emotionally but they are usually easily distracted.

Good luck.