why is he breathing like this?

[yajorome]

Here's how my 8 year old son is breathing: inhale, long pause (4+ seconds) then exhale with a somewhat squeaky sound sometimes (not wheezy, but like he's, well, squeaking)...

What is causing that? Why is he doing it? Is it his asthma? It happens when he's asleep sometimes but also can be when he's awake. He's had his adenoids and tonsils out (due to sleep apnoea) which made a huge difference. Is it a breathing tick?

[yajorome]

bump.

Thinking about it, it's probably not the ideal night to ask...

[RTKangaSantaMummy]

is it all the time?

does he know he is doing it?

[Janh]

I was going to ask if he does it all the tme. All of my kids have done that kind of breath-holding at one time or another - the exhale tended to be a grunt rather than a squeak - I always assumed it was habit rather than necessity. One of them had tonsils out at 18 months and another was asthmatic from 2-ish to teens but they all did it - cue "STOP GRUNTING!!!" from intolerant parents.

[yajorome]

Thanks! He does it unconciously, but does stop when I mention it (eg "Stop holding your breath!").

Good to know that it's not uncommon. Is it a short phase? Please let it be a short phase....

[Screwballmuppet]

Is it different to how he breathes normally? (without the squeak)
Does he have a temperature or appear unwell?

[yajorome]

He's not unwell - he does it when he's concentrating, I've been noticing. I think it's just a weird tick. He also mutters under his breath, so sometimes it's inhale-hold-muttering exhale. Usually when playing his GBA.

Maybe it's because I made him stop the play-by-play commentary he kept up when playing any sort of video game. He'd make a great sports announcer!

[Wish44]

Hi Op, I know this is a very old thread but just look for answers for similar issues with my son. How did things turn out with your son?