Does your little one hold their breath when they get angry? (Breath-Holding Spell) - Let's talk about this!

Does your little one suddenly get angry, have a hard time, or are very scared and cry and hold their breath? Sometimes this holding of breath can become so intense that they can even lose consciousness. I can understand how scared a mother or father must feel when they see something like this. Your heart is pounding, right? You might be thinking, 'Oh, what happened to my child?' But don't worry, this is what we call a `Breath-Holding Spell`. This is a common and not dangerous condition that occurs in young children. Let's talk about this in detail today, so that you can understand it better.

So, are there different types of this `Breath-Holding Spell`?

Yes, there are two main types. Let's see what they are. To be precise, the appearance of the child in these two types is slightly different.

1. The type that turns blue in the face

The first is when a child cries a lot and holds their breath until their face turns blue. We call this a ``Cyanotic Breath-Holding Spell.'' This is the most common type. Most of the time, this happens when a child is very angry, frustrated, or doesn't get something they expect. Imagine your little one asks for a toy and you don't give it to them. They get very angry, scream, cry, and suddenly hold their breath. First, they lose their voice, then their body feels a little stiff . After a while, their lips, tongue, and face start to turn blue. Sometimes their eyes can even go up. It's scary to see this. But remember, this blue color is due to a slight decrease in oxygen to the body. But this will return to normal in a few seconds, at most a minute.

2. The type that makes the face pale

The second type is when the child's face turns pale. We call this a `Pallid Breath-Holding Spell` . In this case, the child may cry a little, or it may happen suddenly without crying. This usually happens if the child is suddenly startled, scared, or falls somewhere and gets hurt. For example, let's say the child suddenly falls on the ground. Or you take him to get a vaccine and he gets scared. When he is hurt or scared, he may suddenly turn pale, sweat, and start breathing as if he is lifeless. Sometimes the heart rate may also slow down a little. This is also like turning blue, and it will return to normal within a few seconds, within a minute. In both cases, the child may lose consciousness for about a minute. It means you lose consciousness for a while. At that time, your body may feel a little stiff, or you may feel lifeless. In some very rare cases,, the child may have a small seizure, which means a shaking sensation. But don't be alarmed if it happens. It will not cause long-term harm to the child, and it does not mean that the child will develop epilepsy later. This is just a temporary thing that happens at that moment. This breathing difficulty can usually be seen in healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years . It is most common in children between the ages of 6 and 18 months. Sometimes it can also run in families, meaning that if the parents had it when they were young, there is a chance that the child will also have it.

Why do little ones get this `Breath-Holding Spell`?

Many parents think that children do this on purpose, that it is something they do to get what they want. But in reality, children do this on purpose. They cannot control it. It is automatic, that is, something that happens by itself. Doctors have not yet fully discovered exactly why this happens. There is also a theory that it may be due to a temporary change in the functioning of some of the nervous systems in the brain. However, it has been found that sometimes, iron-deficiency anemia (`Iron-Deficiency Anemia`) can be a cause of this. That is, when the iron level in the child's body decreases, it can affect this panting. So if you meet a doctor and talk about this, if the child is constantly panting like this, he may do a small blood test (`Blood Test`) to check how high the iron level is. If the iron is low, he will give you the necessary iron tablets or syrup (`Iron supplements`). Then you can reduce the frequency of this panting.

What should you do when your baby is gasping for breath?

First of all, if this is the first time your child has had this type of breathing, you should definitely seek medical advice. Although this type of breathing is usually not dangerous, it is important to have your child checked by a doctor. Sometimes these symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions, so it is best to rule them out. Also, if this breathing is frequent, happens several times a day, or if there is a change in the breathing pattern (for example, it takes longer than usual, or the breathing has increased), or if the child seems lifeless and sick even when he is not breathing, you should definitely see a doctor immediately. Okay, so let's see what you should do when your child is breathing:

• The most important thing is not to panic when your baby is gasping for breath. If you panic, your baby will sense it, and they may become even more scared. So take a deep breath and tell yourself, "This will be over soon."
• First, make the baby lie down in the crib or on the floor. This will prevent the baby from falling. Do not hold the baby upright.
• Remove sharp, hard objects from around the child, and anything that could cause injury if the child hits their head.
• Stay close to the child. Don't leave him alone.

Now imagine that the child has lost consciousness. What would you do at that time?

• Try to stay as calm as possible. Tell yourself, 'My child is safe, this will be over soon.'
• Check to see if there is food or anything else stuck in the child's mouth. If there is, it may make it difficult to breathe. But don't force your fingers into the mouth and pull, as that could make the object even more stuck.
• If the child remains blue for more than a minute or is not breathing properly, call 911 immediately or take them to the nearest hospital.

What do you do after you finish holding your breath?

• Reassure your child that everything is okay and that this is not their fault. Talk to them lovingly and hug them . Even though they are young, they can also feel scared when something like this happens.

Is there a way to stop this breath-holding spell?

While it's not possible to stop it completely, there are things you can do to help reduce the frequency of this. You can talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your baby's gasping for breath. If this usually happens when your baby cries, you can try to prevent your baby from becoming unnecessarily upset or angry. For example:

• Don't let your child overwork or go hungry. It's important to feed and sleep on time. Your child needs rest .
• When punishing your child, try to use calm discipline methods. Yelling and harsh punishment can make your child more upset and angry. Instead, speak calmly in a way that your child understands. You can use methods like 'time-out'. That is, when your child makes a mistake, you take away a favorite toy for a while, or you put it aside for a while.
• Set clear boundaries for your child. It's not good to allow everything.

It is very difficult to see a child holding his breath like this. As a mother or father, you must feel a great burden. You must be afraid, 'Will my child get in trouble?' But, just because you want to stop this, do not allow your child to give in to all his requests and bad behaviors. If that happens, the child may take advantage of it, and he may learn that 'If I do this, I will get what I want.' It is not good for the child's personality development. If you are having difficulty finding the best way to discipline your child, talk to a doctor, a child psychologist, or someone who advises you on this matter. They will give you good guidance. Always remember, this holding of breath is not dangerous, and it will go away on its own as the child grows up. If you are very worried or afraid about this, talking to a mental health professional can help you.You can get help to cope with this situation. Share your burden with them.

So, what are the most important things to keep in mind from what we've talked about?

Okay, let's put it all together now. Here are the most important things to keep in mind:

• A `Breath-Holding Spell` is something that can occur in young children, especially those between 6 months and 6 years of age, due to anger, frustration, fear, or pain.
• This is not something the child does on purpose, so don't blame the child or get angry.
• There are two main types: cyanotic and pallid.
• This usually resolves on its own in less than a minute. Rarely, loss of consciousness and a small seizure may occur, but this is not dangerous.
• Iron -Deficiency Anemia can sometimes be a cause of this. See a doctor to discuss this and get tested if necessary.
• Stay calm when the child is breathing, make the child lie down in a safe place, and stay close.
• If this happens for the first time, or if you haven't been breathing/turning blue for more than a minute, seek medical advice immediately. Also, if it happens frequently or if there is a change in pattern, tell your doctor .
• Don't give in to your child's unnecessary demands just because of this. Discipline is important.
• This is not a dangerous condition, it will go away on its own as the child grows up. Trust that.
• If you have excessive fear or anxiety about this , it is very worth seeking counseling .

The most important thing is to know that you are not alone when something like this happens to your child. Many parents go through this experience. Seek medical advice when necessary, stay calm, and give your child your love and understanding. Everything will be fine!

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