Last night was not an easy night for my 3 month old. Yesterday she didn't really sleep so perhaps she was overly tired, but none-the-less I was a little concerned. I co-sleep with her so this is probably the only reason I noticed, but she kept "forgetting how to breathe. It seems to have started around 2am this morning. She had woke me up by thrashing her arms around and hitting me. That's when I saw that at times she would stop breathing. She would settle down and drift back to sleep and then stop breathing for a few seconds. This would irritate her and she would thrash around and kick like she was struggling to open her air passages. then she would suck in air and frantically try to sooth herself by sucking on her hands or nurse. She would settle down again and it would start all over. I don't think she totally woke up from this ordeal because she never opened her eyes or cried. It freaked me out a little but I calmed myself down by reminding myself that I was there with her and at least she was "aware" she was holding her breathe and trying to fix the problem. This whole thing lasted for about an hour.
Thankfully this morning when I left for work she was breathing normally. She was asleep and her breathes were slow and steady. I told my husband to watch her cafefully so I'm not worried.
Has this happened to any other mothers? Am I being too laid back about this or should I be more concerned?
I more tidbit of information.... This is the first time she has done this (that I know of) and she never once turned blue. The episodes only lasted 3-5 seconds at a time.
I'm glad I didn't get freaked out about this. I called the nurse and the more questions she asked the less worried I became. They still want to see her (just as a precaution) so we left a message for her doctor who will get back to us soon. My husband says she's acting normal and very happy today. He's just going to keep an eye on her and if it happens again he'll take her to the hospital. But so far she's still breathing normally and eating well. I have a feeling it may have been a one time thing because she was so tired last night. But she'll be seeing the doctor anyway... Better safe than sorry! :)
Thanks for the input!!
UPDATE 4-19-11
Went to the doctor yesterday and had her checked out. The doctor said there is nothng to worry about. She's healthy and he does't think it is anything serious. I told him what she was doing and he agrees that it may have been because she was so tired. As long as it was for only a few seconds it is nothing to be concerned about. If it was for 20 seconds or more he would have to run more tests, but right now he doesn't see the need. We've just been told to watch her and see if she ever does it again. If she does I need to time her breathes. She didn't do it again last night, so I am pretty confident this may have been a one time fluck.
He also stated that flailing her arms and legs the way she was was a good sign. If she had a serious sleep apnea she would have gone limp, not kick and punch. :)
If she stops breathing then she needs to be on a monitor to alert you when she stops breathing. Call her Ped.
This is a question to call your pediatrician about right now. Potentially too serious to only be asking on a forum.
That's awful. It is not normal . You should have taken her immediately to the doctor. Of course you should be concerned. At a minimum, this sounds like sleep apnea which she might grow out of, but should be treated and monitored NOW. It could also be something more serious. Go home and take her to the doctor immediately.
This can be very serious, infant sleep apnea. My friends newborn had this and had to wear a breathing device and sleep monitor at night. Before they got the device, she looked over and saw her baby not breathing and turning blue, they had to take the baby to the hospital. Definitely take your child to the Dr./ specialist as soon as possible.
More info can be read about it here:
http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=70
Were her lips or nailbeds blue? Was her skin turning marbley? If not, I wouldn't be too concerned. She's probably been doing this from day 1 and you've just now noticed. I personally would call the pediatrician and see what they say, get a movement monitor which will alert you if no breathing movement is detected for more than the normal amount of time, and put baby in her own crib so you BOTH can get some sleep ;)
I agree that it is probably something you should mention to the doctor. Does your pediatrician have a nurse line? Call them and ask the nurse if it is something you need to bring her in for. I coslept with both my kids and I don't remember them doing anything like that. I know that sometimes they would have problems with breathing while sleeping if they had a cold and a stuffy nose, but otherwise I don't remember them doing that. It could be a one-time thing, but definitely if she keeps doing it, take her to the doctor just to make sure.
By the way, I don't see this as a reason to stop co-sleeping; if it works for you and your husband, then there's no reason to stop. After all, you wouldn't have even noticed her doing it if she wasn't sleeping next to you. We always got more sleep when our babies slept with us. :-)
My husband didn't and still doesn't agree with co-sleeping.
We put a hide-away bed in our nursery so that I could sleep in their with them - near them - both our boys were preemies and were belly sleepers - oh my all the information that was bombarded on me - i was scared to death.
She might not be "stopping breathing" but holding her breath as her VERY young body and brain learn how to operate and regulate on its own.
Good for you for NOT panicking and freaking out!! I know it's hard. My second son stopped breath in front of me in the NICU - flatlined and all - what a HORRIBLE experience to go through....so don't panic.
I would contact your pediatrician and tell them what you experienced with her and see what they want to do. She might be suffering from sleep apnea. There is a monitor they can give you. They may suggest no more co-sleeping as well and have her sleep in her own crib....with the monitor.
Our daughter did the same thing, so we got Snuza Go movement monitor on Amazon, now I can sleep!!!!!!!!!!
Thank goodness you co-sleep - - can you imagine what may have happened if she was all alone in another room by herself?
Very young infants take subconscious cues from Mommy when they sleep together. They keep a breathing rhythm with you - almost like you are the caller in the row boat and the baby is the rower.
I'd be concerned. I think you should mention it to your ped.
Hello, I would get her in with her doctor right away and discuss this with him/her. It could be not as serious as it sounds to me, but I would want to know from a doctor's perspective.
Good luck with your precious baby.
K. K.
