Is it dangerous when your baby cries? Can you prevent it? How to deal with your baby's crying?

A baby’s cry is a worrying thing for new parents because they don’t know what their baby needs. Is it hungry, sleepy, uncomfortable, or feeling unsafe? Sometimes, crying can be a sign of a condition that requires attention, such as a baby holding in their breath and possibly stopping for a while. Is holding in their breath like this dangerous? And how should you handle it? This article has the answers.

What is a baby crying?

Breath-holding spells, also known as cry-holding spells, occur in young children, particularly between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, but are most common in children around 2 years old. They usually occur when a child experiences a strong emotion, such as anger, shock, or pain, causing the body to respond by temporarily stopping breathing, resulting in the child turning blue or, in some cases, briefly losing consciousness.

A baby’s choking cry can be frightening. Parents may worry that their baby is lacking oxygen, affecting their brain and development. However, this condition is not serious and most babies can resume breathing on their own within a minute. 

Know the symptoms of a baby holding back a cry

There are two common causes of involuntary crying: crying due to anger or intense anger, and crying due to pain. The characteristics of involuntary crying for each cause vary. 

1. Crying out of anger

This is called cyanotic. The symptoms are that the baby will cry very hard and hold his or her breath while exhaling for a while, causing insufficient oxygen to reach the brain, causing the face to turn blue. If the baby is unable to adjust his or her breathing, he or she will lose consciousness and have convulsions. However, most of the time, the symptoms will return to normal within 1 minute, which is found in up to 85% of cases of cyanotic crying. 

2. Crying out in pain

This is called a pallid cry. There is no cyanosis or oxygen deficiency, but the face is pale, which is often associated with iron deficiency. They may cry or not cry at all, but may lose consciousness and twitch, and usually return to normal within 1 minute. 

Whether it’s holding back a cry that turns green or holding back a cry that turns pale, these are all automatic situations. The child doesn’t intentionally hold their breath and is unable to control their symptoms. This is different from some children who intentionally hold their breath for a short period of time to get attention.

Parents who understand their child’s choking symptoms and learn how to appropriately handle them will help them better manage the situation, reduce anxiety, and keep their child safe.

My baby is crying and holding it in. Is it dangerous?

Incontinence in infants has no long-term neurological or health side effects. As your child grows, the condition usually resolves on its own without serious complications.

Some parents are concerned that when their child cries, they may increase their risk of epilepsy. This is because when their child cries, they have seizure-like convulsions. However, seizures and crying are two different symptoms. Crying does not increase the risk of epilepsy.

However, it has been found that children who have previously experienced pallid may be more likely to develop vasovagal syncope later in life, a condition in which the body responds to stress or pain by causing a drop in blood pressure and dizziness. In rare cases, children may also be more likely to exhibit defiant, defiant, or irritable behaviors, the duration of which varies from child to child. My baby is crying and holding it in. What should I do?

1. Keep your cool.

Parents should stay calm and control their emotions, as panicking will only make the situation worse. Children may sense their parents’ concerns and become more fearful. Therefore, remaining calm can help children feel less anxious and more secure.

2. Distract your child.

If you notice your baby starting to choke back tears, try using a toy or something he or she enjoys, such as a stuffed animal, book, or song, to distract and take your baby out of his or her anger or frustration. Distraction can help your baby calm down and return to normal breathing more quickly.

3. Do not shake or yell at your child.

Although seeing your baby cry uncontrollably can be worrying to parents, shaking or scolding your baby is a big no-no, as it can only make them more stressed and afraid. Furthermore, violently shaking a baby can be harmful to their brain and nervous system.

4. Massage or soothe gently.

Gentle touch or a comforting hug can help your baby relax. Try gently rubbing his back, arms, or head, while speaking reassuring words to him or her to make him or her feel safe. The warmth of your touch can help your baby gradually calm down and begin breathing normally.

5. Hold your baby in a comfortable position.

If your baby is struggling with a sob and is becoming increasingly labored, try laying him/her flat on the floor or holding his/her head slightly elevated to help improve circulation. Avoid positioning your baby with his/her head too low, as this can make him/her feel uncomfortable and have difficulty breathing.

6. Wipe your baby’s face with a wet cloth.

If the crying doesn’t help, try gently wiping the face, forehead, or chest with a clean, room-temperature washcloth. A slight cold shock may help re-establish awareness and encourage normal breathing. However, avoid using extremely cold washcloths or immersing the child in cold water, as this can startle the child and worsen the condition.

What kind of baby cries is dangerous?

If your child cries frequently or for an unusually long time, especially in children with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, or if they also have convulsions, you should take your child to see a doctor to determine the true cause.

Additionally, parents should not indulge their children to avoid holding back their tears, as this can teach children that holding back their tears is the only way to get what they want. If you’re concerned about your child’s symptoms, consult your pediatrician to rule out other underlying conditions, such as heart disease or epilepsy.

My baby is crying, can I prevent it?

Although involuntary crying cannot be prevented 100%, parents can help reduce the chances of it occurring by caring for their child properly. Some children often develop this condition after intense crying or after encountering an angry or upsetting event. Ways to prevent involuntary crying in children What parents can do to reduce the chances of involuntary crying include:

• Don’t let your baby get too hungry or tired – A very tired or hungry baby is more likely to be moody and cry more.
• Use gentle discipline methods – Instead of scolding or yelling, try talking, explaining, or distracting your child when he or she starts to fuss.
• Don’t be too indulgent – ​​While it can be hard to watch your child behave this way, giving in to your child’s cries can teach them that crying will get them what they want.

If you feel out of control or unsure how to handle the situation, it’s important to consult your doctor for advice on appropriate parenting. It ‘s important to remind yourself that involuntary crying isn’t harmful and that most children will eventually recover. If anxiety is affecting your emotional well-being, you may want to consult a mental health professional, as your emotional well-being can play a key role in helping your child navigate this difficult time.

Republished with permission from theAsianParent Thailand