My 2-year-old recently started to hold his breath when he doesn't get what he wants, and it terrifies me. Is this normal? – LaVonne As frightening as it might be when your son holds his breath, it's actually quite common among toddlers — and is likely to be more alarming to you than it is dangerous for him. The best response to such behavior is to make sure he is safe, keep him lying down on his side, and try to stay relaxed. Most kids outgrow breath-holding episodes by the time they're 5 or 6 years old. Occasionally, kids may pass out for 30–60 seconds during a breath-holding spell. If this happens, talk with your doctor to be sure nothing more serious is going on. The doctor might want to test for anemia, which is sometimes associated with breath holding. When the anemia is treated, kids are often less likely to pass out when holding their breath. Back to Articles Related Articles Breath-Holding Spells Kids who have these spells hold their breath until they pass out. Although upsetting to watch, the spells are not harmful and do not pose any serious, long-term health risks. Read More Your Child's Habits Nail biting, hair twirling, thumb sucking, and nose picking - these childhood habits are common. Here's how to deal with them. Read More Taming Tempers Controlling outbursts can be difficult for kids - and helping them learn to do so is a tough job for the parents who love them. But just about every child can improve with the right coaching. Read More Temper Tantrums Temper tantrums range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath holding. Get the facts on managing - and preventing - temper tantrums. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.