My Baby Stopped Breathing and Then Was Fine
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, Mayo Clinic guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect stopped breathing and then was fine, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
A Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE) is when a baby suddenly stops breathing, changes color, goes limp, or becomes unresponsive for less than a minute and then returns completely to normal. While terrifying to witness, most BRUEs are isolated events with no underlying serious cause. However, any BRUE requires immediate medical evaluation to ensure your baby is safe.
Key takeaways
- A Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE) is when a baby suddenly stops breathing, changes color, goes limp, or becomes unresponsive for less than a minute and then returns completely to normal. While terrifying to witness, most BRUEs are isolated events with no underlying serious cause. However, any BRUE requires immediate medical evaluation to ensure your baby is safe.
- Usually normal when: Your baby occasionally pauses breathing for a few seconds during sleep and then resumes on their own — this is called periodic breathing and is normal in newborns
- Call your doctor if: Your baby stopped breathing, turned blue or pale, went limp, or became unresponsive — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately, even if your baby seems fine now
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH, Mayo Clinic guidelines, a Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE) is when a baby suddenly stops breathing, changes color, goes limp, or becomes unresponsive for less than a minute and then returns completely to normal. While terrifying to witness, most BRUEs are isolated events with no underlying serious cause. However, any BRUE requires immediate medical evaluation to ensure your baby is safe. At 0-2 months, bRUEs in very young infants are taken most seriously because of the higher risk of underlying causes such as infection, cardiac issues, or non-accidental trauma. If your baby under 2 months has an episode where they stop breathing, change color, or go limp, go to the emergency room immediately. Doctors will likely want to observe your baby and may run tests including bloodwork, ECG, and possibly imaging. It is generally considered normal when your baby occasionally pauses breathing for a few seconds during sleep and then resumes on their own — this is called periodic breathing and is normal in newborns. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby stopped breathing, turned blue or pale, went limp, or became unresponsive — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately, even if your baby seems fine now.
Normal vs. Concerning
When to Seek Immediate Care
- Your baby stopped breathing, turned blue or pale, went limp, or became unresponsive — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately, even if your baby seems fine now
- You needed to stimulate your baby vigorously or perform CPR to get them to respond
- The episode lasted more than one minute or your baby has not returned completely to their normal state
By Age
What to expect by age
0-2 months
BRUEs in very young infants are taken most seriously because of the higher risk of underlying causes such as infection, cardiac issues, or non-accidental trauma. If your baby under 2 months has an episode where they stop breathing, change color, or go limp, go to the emergency room immediately. Doctors will likely want to observe your baby and may run tests including bloodwork, ECG, and possibly imaging.
2-6 months
This is the most common age range for BRUE. Many episodes in this age group are classified as "lower risk" if the baby is over 60 days old, was born at term, the episode lasted less than one minute, and no CPR was required. Lower-risk events still need medical evaluation but may not require extensive testing or hospitalization.
6-12 months
BRUEs become less common as babies get older. If your older baby has an episode of color change, limpness, or apparent breathing pause, it still warrants urgent medical evaluation. At this age, doctors will also consider reflux, breath-holding spells, and choking as possible explanations.
12 months+
These events are uncommon in toddlers. Breath-holding spells, which are a separate and benign condition, become more common at this age and can look similar. If your toddler has an episode of unresponsiveness or color change, seek immediate medical attention to determine the cause.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed stopped breathing and then was fine and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby had an episode where they changed color, went limp, or seemed to stop breathing but recovered quickly and seems completely normal now.
- Mention if you are not sure if what you witnessed was a true breathing pause or normal newborn behavior.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby occasionally pauses breathing for a few seconds during sleep and then resumes on their own — this is called periodic breathing and is normal in newborns
- Your baby briefly chokes or gags during feeding and recovers quickly with a normal color
- Your baby has a brief startle response or tremor during sleep
- Your baby had an episode where they changed color, went limp, or seemed to stop breathing but recovered quickly and seems completely normal now
- You are not sure if what you witnessed was a true breathing pause or normal newborn behavior
- Your baby has had more than one episode of apparent color change or breathing irregularity
- Your baby stopped breathing, turned blue or pale, went limp, or became unresponsive — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately, even if your baby seems fine now
- You needed to stimulate your baby vigorously or perform CPR to get them to respond
- The episode lasted more than one minute or your baby has not returned completely to their normal state
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice stopped breathing and then was fine — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby occasionally pauses breathing for a few seconds during sleep and then resumes on their own — this is called periodic breathing and is normal in newborns — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-2 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby stopped breathing, turned blue or pale, went limp, or became unresponsive — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately, even if your baby seems fine now.
Related Resources
Breathing Difficulty Triage
Assess breathing concerns and know when to seek emergency care.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is stopped breathing and then was fine normal?
When should I call the doctor about stopped breathing and then was fine?
When is stopped breathing and then was fine normal?
What causes stopped breathing and then was fine?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about stopped breathing and then was fine?
Is stopped breathing and then was fine normal at 0-2 months?
Is stopped breathing and then was fine normal at 2-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for stopped breathing and then was fine?
Does stopped breathing and then was fine go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (Formerly Apparent Life-Threatening Events) and Evaluation of Lower-Risk Infants. Pediatrics, 2016. AAP
- [2]National Library of Medicine. Brief Resolved Unexplained Event. StatPearls, 2024. NIH
- [3]Mayo Clinic. Apparent Life-Threatening Event in Infants. Mayo Clinic
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Stopped Breathing and Then Was Fine.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed stopped breathing and then was fine and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby had an episode where they changed color, went limp, or seemed to stop breathing but recovered quickly and seems completely normal now.
- Mention if you are not sure if what you witnessed was a true breathing pause or normal newborn behavior.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby had an episode where they changed color, went limp, or seemed to stop breathing but recovered quickly and seems completely normal now
- You are not sure if what you witnessed was a true breathing pause or normal newborn behavior
- Your baby has had more than one episode of apparent color change or breathing irregularity
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby stopped breathing, turned blue or pale, went limp, or became unresponsive — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately, even if your baby seems fine now
- You needed to stimulate your baby vigorously or perform CPR to get them to respond
- The episode lasted more than one minute or your baby has not returned completely to their normal state
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of stopped breathing and then was fine are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby stopped breathing, turned blue or pale, went limp, or became unresponsive — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately, even if your baby seems fine now.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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