If a Child Passes Out During a Spell
Most of the time, you don't need to do anything during a breath-holding spell. Your child should stay lying down until the spell is over.
If your child passes out for a brief time, stay calm and:
- check your child's mouth for food or any object that could pose a choking hazard once your child regains consciousness
- remove all objects or furniture within reach in case your child has a seizure
Kids with breath-holding spells usually start breathing within a minute.
Call 911 if your child remains blue or is not breathing for longer than a minute.
When to See the Doctor
If this is your child's first breath-holding spell, get medical care. Although breath-holding spells aren't harmful, it's good to get your child checked out. A doctor can determine whether it was in fact a breath-holding spell or another medical condition that looks like one.
These spells are an involuntary response to strong emotions (like being angry, scared, or frustrated) and tend to happen in healthy children. Because they're involuntary (not done on purpose), they're not a behavioral problem. A doctor can help parents understand what triggers a spell in their child, how to prevent future spells, and how to deal with them if they do happen.
Sometimes, iron deficiency anemia might cause kids to have breath-holding spells. So a doctor might do a blood test to check for anemia. Treating the anemia may help reduce the number of the spells.
Preventing Future Spells
Once kids mature and develop better coping skills, they usually outgrow breath-holding spells. But in the meantime, parents can face a challenge greater than witnessing the spells themselves: finding ways to discipline their child that won't trigger another spell.
Your doctor can work with you to help you find coping strategies for you and your child. Try not to give in to tantrums and stubborn behavior — young kids need limits and guidelines to help them stay safe and become well-adjusted emotionally.
With experience, courage, and your doctor's help, you can learn to cope with breath-holding spells while providing a safe and structured environment until your child outgrows them.
Date reviewed: October 2016