when to worry about a child who holds their breath

what happens when you blow on a baby’s face?

according to popular science , the reaction a baby has when you blow in their face is called the bradycardic reflex or reflex bradycardia. this natural response causes the infant to inhale, stop what they’re doing, and close their eyes while their heart rate slows. this reflex is a harmless phenomenon that is also part of the mammalian diving reflex , or the human diving response , which is triggered underwater.

“when the face of an infant is exposed to cold water, the heart slows down and blood is shifted away from the peripheral muscles to conserve oxygen for the brain and heart, and they typically hold their breath,” according to popular science .

one study examined the interesting response in babies by studying 36 babies during diving exercises. all infants showed an immediate decrease in heart rate (bradycardia) when submerged and it took a few seconds after the dive for their breathing and heart rate to return to normal.

breath-holding spells are a reflex

while babies may hold their breath for a moment if you blow into their face, there are other times it may happen as an involuntary response to a change in breathing, a slowing of their heart rate, or by feelings of pain and other strong emotions.

according to an article published by the national library of medicine , “a breath-holding spell is a benign paroxysmal nonepileptic disorder occurring in healthy children six to 48 months of age. the episodes start with a provocation such as emotional upset or minor injury, and might progress to breath-holding, cyanosis [bluish-purple hue of the skin], and syncope [temporary loss of consciousness].”

the researchers of that study noted that while potentially extremely frightening, these episodes of breath-holding are not harmful and “pose no long-term risks for the infant.” the episodes are simply a response to anger, frustration or pain. sometimes, breath-holding spells are a sign of iron deficiency anemia , in which the body doesn’t produce a normal number of red blood cells.

according to kidshealth , doctors and scientists do not know why breath-holding episodes occur, but they know that it’s a reflex — young children can’t control when they have one of these episodes. if your child has a breath-holding episode, place them in their crib or on the floor, make sure there are no dangerous or sharp objects nearby and stay calm if they pass out.