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Why does my child stop breathing when they cry?
Breath-holding spells are brief, harmless episodes when a crying child stops breathing for a few seconds.
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What it is
Breath-holding spells are episodes that are not serious or dangerous [1]. They happen when a child cries, or tries to cry, after a big fright, a fall, or because they are angry [1]. The child stops breathing for a few seconds and turns purple or pale [1]. Usually the child then bursts into tears [1]. Sometimes the child may faint or make jerking movements [1]. People often say the child has “held their breath” or “gone blue” [1]. These spells are common in children between 6 months and 5 years old [1].
The spell is short, usually less than 1 minute, and the child recovers quickly [2]. According to SEUP, breath-holding spells are benign and do NOT CAUSE ANY HARM to the child at the time, and they will not cause problems in the future [2].
What you can do at home
- It is normal to feel anxious and worried when this happens, but try to STAY CALM, because the spell will pass on its own without doing anything [4].
- Do not shake the child, do not agitate them, do not give mouth-to-mouth breathing, do not resuscitate them and do not shout at the child, because this could even make things worse [4].
- If you can, record the episode so you can show it to your doctor [3].
Breath-holding spells cannot be prevented [3]. They will stop before the child is 5 years old [3].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Go to the emergency department if:
- It is the first time it has happened [3].
- The child is under 6 months old [3].
- The spell lasts more than 1-2 minutes [3].
- The child faints [3].
- When the child recovers, they are very drowsy [3].
- The child makes abnormal movements [3].
If the spells are very frequent, or if you have doubts, you can and should consult your doctor [3].
Common questions
Is my child in danger during a spell? No. These episodes are not serious or dangerous, and they do not cause any harm to the child at the time or in the future [1][2].
How long does a spell last? It is short, usually less than 1 minute, and the child recovers quickly [2].
Should I shake my child or give mouth-to-mouth breathing? No. Do not shake, agitate, resuscitate or shout at the child, as this could make the situation worse [4].
Can breath-holding spells be prevented? No, they cannot be prevented, and they will disappear before the child is 5 years old [3].
At what age do they happen? They are common in children between 6 months and 5 years old [1].
What should I do while it is happening? Stay calm and do nothing, because it will resolve on its own in a few seconds [4].
Sources
[1] SEUP — “Espasmos del sollozo. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿QUÉ SON LOS ESPASMOS DEL SOLLOZO? ¿CUÁLES SON LOS SÍNTOMAS?”, p. 1 [2] SEUP — “Espasmos del sollozo. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁL ES LA EVOLUCIÓN ESPERABLE?”, p. 1 [3] SEUP — “Espasmos del sollozo. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁNDO ACUDIR A UN SERVICIO DE URGENCIAS?”, p. 1 [4] SEUP — “Espasmos del sollozo. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿QUÉ PODEMOS HACER EN CASA?”, p. 1
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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