# Do children usually outgrow breath-holding spells?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-breath-holding-spells
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Children almost always outgrow breath-holding spells, which usually begin between 6 months and 2 years and stop by age 5 or 6. Though frightening to watch, the spells are a reflex, not seizures, and do not cause lasting harm in most children. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*That sudden moment when your little one cries, goes quiet, holds their breath and even changes colour is terrifying to watch — but for almost every child, it is something they grow out of.*

## In short
Yes — children almost always outgrow breath-holding spells. They typically begin between 6 months and 2 years, peak around the toddler years, and **most children stop having them by age 5 or 6**. The spells, though frightening to witness, are not seizures and do not cause lasting harm or brain damage in the vast majority of children. They are a reflex response, not a behaviour your child can control or is doing on purpose.

## Understanding the spells
Breath-holding spells usually happen after a trigger — a sudden fright, pain, frustration or a bump. There are two common types:
- **Blue (cyanotic) spells** — the most common; after crying out, the child holds their breath, may go bluish around the lips, and briefly loses consciousness before recovering.
- **Pale (pallid) spells** — often triggered by a sudden shock or minor injury; the child goes pale and limp.

In both, your child usually recovers within seconds to a minute, breathing returns on its own, and they are themselves again soon after. Spells are sometimes linked to **iron deficiency**, so a simple check of iron levels can be worthwhile and treatment can reduce how often they happen. During a spell, stay calm, lay your child on their side, keep them safe from knocks, and do not shake, splash water or put anything in their mouth.

## When to seek a check
While breath-holding spells are usually harmless, see a doctor promptly to be sure of what is happening — especially if spells are frequent, if your child takes a long time to recover, if there is jerking that continues after breathing returns, or if you are ever unsure whether it was a spell or a seizure. A clinician can distinguish a breath-holding spell from epilepsy or a heart-rhythm cause and check iron levels.

## The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. If spells are worrying you, our team can guide you on what is typical and when a medical review is needed, and reassure you about your child's overall development. Explore [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/), learn how the [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) works, or book a gentle [developmental assessment](/developmental-assessment).

## Trusted sources
American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance (HealthyChildren.org) on breath-holding spells; CDC developmental and child-health resources; WHO child-health information.

**Next step —** Worried about your child's spells? [Speak with a Pinnacle clinician for reassurance and a developmental check](/developmental-assessment).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org family guidance: https://www.healthychildren.org
- CDC child-health and development resources: https://www.cdc.gov
- WHO child-health information: https://www.who.int

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