Breath Holding

During a temper tantrum or a bout of excessive crying, some children develop the habit of holding their breath until they turn red or even blue in the face. In rare cases, a child may faint momentarily or begin to twitch convulsively. As frightening as these episodes are for parents, breath holding is not dangerous or harmful. Occasional temper tantrums, possibly involving breath holding, are normal in toddlers. They should diminish in frequency and intensity after the age of four.

WHAT CAUSES BREATH HOLDING?
No one knows exactly. Some children may be temperamentally predisposed to it. It is normal for toddlers to test limits and challenge rules as they move from total dependence on their parents to gradual independence. Breath holding, like temper tantrums, may be how a child expresses anger, frustration or anxiety while making the vital transition.

IS MEDICAL ATTENTION NECESSARY?
Call your pediatrician the first time breath holding causes your child to faint during a temper tantrum. This is especially important if the child falls. The doctor may want to examine him to rule out more serious underlying reasons for the loss of consciousness. In rare cases, when the pediatrician feels the behavior indicates an emotional disturbance, you may be referred to a mental health professional.

COPING WITH BREATH HOLDING
The child will outgrow the habit of breath holding eventually. In the meantime, there are some measures you can take to minimize breath-holding attacks. Be firm, gentle and downplay the episode. Too much attention or caving in to demands could lead to more breath holding by teaching the toddler to use the attacks to manipulate others.

PREVENTING BREATH HOLDING
The best way to prevent breath holding is to maintain a consistent overall plan of discipline and respond in a calm, low-key manner each time an episode occurs.

• Stay calm during your child's temper tantrum.

• Try to distract the child. Offer a favorite toy, point out a passing airplane, or use a similar diversionary tactic.

• Make sure the child does not become overly tired or overstimulated.

• Avoid situations that may make the child unnecessarily frustrated or anxious.

• Make sure the child has a nap or quiet time every day.

• Set moderate limits for the child and stick to them.

• Make sure that any other adult caring for your child understands and follows the rules and limits you have set for your child in the same way you do.

GETTING HELP
Call your doctor if your child:

• Faints during a breath-holding attack

• Twitches convulsively while breath holding

Excerpt from THE DISNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BABY & CHILD CARE, © 1995 DSH Communications, Inc. This material is based on current medical research and, to the best of the editors' knowledge and understanding, is accurate and valid. However the reader should not use information contained in this material to alter a medically prescribed regimen or as a form of self-treatment, without seeking the advice of a licensed physician.