All Communities > August 2009 Babies > Gasping For Breath

Gasping For Breath

Sara - posted on 10/24/2009 ( 4 moms have responded )

1

0

My 9 week old daughter sometimes gasps for breath. It lasts no more than 5 seconds, but her hands and legs move frantically and her face turns bright red. Once she catches her breath, she does not cry or seem to be in any distress. In fact, she sometimes follows these moments with smiles and coos as if nothing ever happened. I asked our pediatrician if this was something to be concerned about, but he said it's normal.

However, It terrifies me whenever she does this. I'm wondering if anyone has had any previous experience with a situation like this and can give me some further insight into what may be happening. Is this normal?!

Join Circle of Moms

Sign up for Circle of Moms and be a part of this community! Membership is just one click away.

Join Circle of Moms

4 Comments

View replies by

Rebecca - posted on 10/29/2009

259

39

my baby does that when she gets scared or doesn't want to be on her back. i just pick her up for a minute or roll her over on her side and she's fine. if you tell her to breathe it might help. babies understand better then alot of people think. it could also be that she gets her breath taken away by a fan or wind or even just blowing up her nose by talking to her. if you have a ceiling fan on, turn it on low an don't roll the window down more than half way when you're in the car

Kathleen - posted on 10/29/2009

2

3

my daughter does this ALL THE TIME, it still freaks me out everyday but my doctor wasnt concerned. shes 2 months now and once in a while i think her lips are alittle darker than usual but im convinced its just my paranoia getting to me cuz they arent exactly BLUE. i was always scared that it was asthma since i come from a long line of asthmatics and am asthmatic myself.. i guess ill just have to wait alittle while longer and seee if this keeps on. shes usually more wheezy after a bottle, especially a formula bottle - but i guess its cuz the formula is somewhat thick.

Lauren - posted on 10/25/2009

8

4

My daughter does that too. It's just occassional, but she has reflux too. I just figured it was her breathing and swallowing at the wrong time like Andrea mentioned. It seems fairly normal in her. She seems a little freaked out at first, but doesn't cry. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless your baby's lips or nailbeds start to turn blue. That would be a sign of something more serious for sure.

Andrea - posted on 10/24/2009

21

29

Both my kids have done that and do that. Our doc has said that they are still learning. Still learning to breathe, swallow etc and sometimes they dont have everything in sync and something is forgotten. It is normal and they will stop. On the other side of this you may want to consider reflux as they will gasp for air when they are fluxing.

Powered by RESPECT not THUMPS

Want to find out the opinions of this community?

Add Poll