Breath-holding spells in children: What's normal, what's not, and how to stay calm with pediatrician Dr. Caity Gilman
Securely Attached · Dec 9, 2025 · 31:40
Securely Attached · Dec 9, 2025 · 31:40
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Pediatrician Dr. Caity Gilman joins me this week to unpack breath-holding spells, those frightening moments when a child turns blue or pale, goes limp, or briefly loses consciousness during intense emotion or dysregulation or pain.
Together we explore:
- The two types of breath-holding spells and what triggers each of them.
- Are certain children more prone to these episodes based on genetics, temperament, or other factors?
- What should parents do in the moment to keep their child safe, and how to know when it's time to call their pediatrician.
- What parents can do after a spell to comfort their child.
- Do these spells cause any long-term harm, or are they truly benign?
- How to support your child's emotion regulation and frustration tolerance between episodes.
If you're currently navigating breath-holding spells, or you simply want to feel more prepared for the unexpected moments that come with raising little ones, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance from both a pediatrician and a fellow parent who has lived this experience firsthand.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:
🎧 Listen to Caity's first episode about vaccine safety
LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:
📱 @ drsarahbren
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do if your child is afraid of going to the doctor
