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Is It Normal for Children to Hold Their Breath?
My 2-year-old recently started to hold his breath when he doesn't get what he wants, and it terrifies me. Is this normal?
– LaVonne
As frightening as it may be when your child holds his breath, it's actually quite common among toddlers — and is likely to be more alarming to you than it is dangerous for him.
The best response to such behavior is to look the other way and try to stay relaxed. Responding will only serve as positive reinforcement, and most kids outgrow breath-holding episodes by the time they are 4 or 5 years old.
Occasionally, kids may pass out for 30–60 seconds during a breath-holding spell. If this happens, talk with your doctor to be sure nothing more serious is going on.
For more information, check out these articles:
Your Child's Habits
Reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
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