| Although it is very common, watching toddlers | | | | be stringently discouraged. Here are a few tips on |
| holding their breath can be a frightful thing for a | | | | how to avoid a breath-holding tantrum in your |
| parent to experience. Some call it the ‘nuclear | | | | toddler: |
| option’ in a child’s weaponry. About 20 | | | | • Do not pay overmuch attention to such |
| percent of toddlers use this technique to express | | | | tantrums. |
| their discontent or to get what they want – | | | | • Find out the possible cause behind such |
| and considering the effect, they often do. | | | | behavior and eliminate the cause. |
| These spells are usually part of a child’s | | | | • Try to divert your toddler’s attention to |
| temper tantrums. Here are a few common signs | | | | a pleasant situation making the toddler forget the |
| to look out for: | | | | whole idea of breath holding. |
| • Breathing out forcefully followed by holding | | | | If your toddler succumbs to this tantrum, |
| breath for a long time | | | | remember: |
| • Turning pale or blue | | | | • Do not panic—toddlers may take |
| Soon after one of the above signs show up, | | | | advantage of the fact that you are scared and |
| chances are your toddlers will pass out and | | | | resort to tantrums more often to get what they |
| collapse to the ground. In some cases, your | | | | want. |
| toddler’s legs and arms may twitch and the | | | | • Make your toddler lie down to increase the |
| body may suffer mild convolutions. This situation | | | | flow of blood to the brain and within seconds it will |
| usually lasts for under a minute and is not a | | | | be alright. |
| medical condition over which you should be | | | | • The first time this happens, you may |
| worried. | | | | consider taking your toddler to the doctor to |
| Even though this is a common tantrum it should | | | | ensure it is a breath-holding tantrum indeed. |