Blowing in Baby’s Face – Is It Safe or Not? What Experts Say About Blowing

Blowing in baby face may seem like an odd parenting trick. but many moms and dads still use it today. I have also used it when I was desperate to find ways to soothe my crying newborn. Late nights pacing the halls with a wailing baby left me grasping at any trick to calm my little one. Then I thought of blowing on baby’s face to divert his attention from the fussing.

It seemed odd, but I was willing to try anything in those delirious early days. To my surprise, a light puff of air on her cheeks made my daughter pause her crying, distracted by the sensation. I felt a bit uneasy about blowing in her face though, and I was wondering if it was safe to blowing on baby face.

In this post, I’ll share what experts say about blowing in a baby’s face, the possible benefits and risks, and the safer ways we found to soothe our little ones. By the end, you’ll know whether blowing in your baby’s face is an advisable trick or not when trying to stop their crying.

What Happens When You Blow In A Baby’s Face?

When you blow in a baby’s face, it triggers what’s called the diving reflex or bradycardic response. This automatic nervous system response causes babies to briefly hold their breath, just like adults do when water hits their face and we reflexively stop breathing so we don’t inhale it.

The diving reflex causes the baby to close their eyes, stop breathing for a second or two, and halt crying. This gives parents a brief window to calm or soothe the infant before they start up again. However, some doctors warn that repeatedly triggering the diving reflex by blowing could be dangerous for babies

Can You Blowing in Baby Face

There’s no evidence that an occasional gentle blowing of a baby’s face causes any harm. However, routine forceful blowing is not recommended by medical professionals. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the practice, saying it provides only temporary distraction and stress for babies.

Why Does Blowing On A Baby’s Face Take Her Breath Away?

Blowing on babies face triggers what’s called the “diving reflex” or “bradycardic response” – it’s an automatic bodily reaction that temporarily stops them from breathing. Here’s a simple breakdown:

When air blows near your baby’s nostrils and mouth, it tricks their body into thinking something is obstructing their airway, much like being underwater would. This sends a danger signal to their nervous system, kickstarting a chain reaction.

First, their heart rate slows down to conserve oxygen since their body senses breathing is blocked. Then the blood vessels near the surface of skin constrict while blood gets redirected to the most important organs like the heart and brain. 

Finally, your baby involuntarily stops breathing momentarily, just like an adult would when water hits their face – it’s to avoid inhaling the “obstruction.” 

This whole sequence evolved as a protective drowning prevention mechanism. When triggered, it makes your baby halt crying, close their eyes and mouth, and hold their breath until the “threat” passes and they realize everything is normal. Then they gasp and breathe normally again after a few seconds.

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The Potential Benefits of Blowing On Baby Face

Here are some potential benefits of blowing in a baby’s face:

• Provides a distraction from crying or fussing – The sensation of having their face blown on can interrupt a baby’s crying for a short time, giving parents a chance to then comfort them through other means. Just the surprise of the air on their face is sometimes enough to make them pause and forget why they were upset.
• May help calm baby before sleep – Some parents find a very gentle blowing on their baby’s face seems to have a soothing, calming effect that relaxes them and helps the baby fall asleep more easily. The light breeze likely mimics white noise.
• Allows cleaning face without water in eyes/nose – When bathing a baby, a gentle blow on their cheeks can trigger the diving reflex so they instinctively close their eyes and mouth, allowing you to wipe their face without water getting in.
• Useful in infant swimming classes – Blowing on a baby’s face is often used in infant survival swim lessons to help babies hold their breath and close their eyes in preparation for going underwater. The diving reflex prepares them for submersion.
• May provide colic relief – Anecdotal reports from parents suggest blowing gently on a baby’s belly and face provides some relief from colic discomfort, possibly by distracting them or releasing gas, though no scientific studies confirm this.
• Could halt hiccups – While again not medically confirmed, many parents report blowing on baby’s face stops hiccups. The surprise and brief breath-holding may interrupt the diaphragm spasms.

So while not medically recommended, many parents swear by gentle blowing for distracting and calming babies in various situations. It should never replace determining and addressing the cause of their crying.

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Health Risks of Blowing in Your Baby’s Face

Here are some potential health risks of blowing in baby face :

• Transfer of respiratory germs – Blowing directly on your baby’s face can transfer germs and viruses if you are sick with a cold, flu, RSV, or other contagious illnesses that spread through respiratory droplets. This exposes the baby to infection.
• Discomfort for baby – A strong, forceful blow could irritate your baby’s eyes, nose, and face. It may also just unsettle or upset them rather than have a calming effect.
• Repeated diving reflex triggers – While an occasional gentle blow likely poses little risk, repeatedly triggering the diving reflex by forceful blowing could potentially put a strain on your baby’s nervous system and developing lungs.
• Startling your baby – Some babies may be startled or scared by having air blown strongly or suddenly in their faces. This could make them more upset.
• Choking hazard – You should NEVER blow in the face of a choking infant or one with an object lodged in their throat, as it could further impact their airway.
• No long-term benefits – Unlike techniques like rocking or swaddling, blowing doesn’t provide any lasting soothing or relief. Any distraction is very temporary.
• Avoid if respiratory issues – Babies with asthma, allergies, RSV, or other respiratory conditions could become further irritated if you blow in their face.

While an occasional gentle puff on your baby’s cheek is unlikely to cause harm, it’s best to avoid blowing directly into your infant’s face, especially if they are unwell, stressed, or you are sick.

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When Should You Avoid Blowing In Babies Face?

Here are some situations when you should avoid blowing on babies face :

• When a baby is crying due to hunger or discomfort – Blowing will only temporarily distract them, not address the underlying issue. Attend to their needs first.
• If a baby seems frustrated or panicked by it – Some babies dislike having air blown on them. If yours seems upset or startled, don’t continue.
• When a baby has a respiratory illness – Blowing could worsen congestion and spread germs if the baby has RSV, cold, flu, etc.
• When the baby is coughing or sneezing – Irritating an already sensitive respiratory system with blowing is not advised.
• If the baby appears to have difficulty breathing – Any obstruction of the airway could exacerbate breathing troubles. Get medical help instead.
• If a baby has a foreign object lodged in the airway/throat – Blowing could push the object further down and completely block breathing. Follow first aid for choking.
• When a caregiver has a contagious respiratory virus – Blowing spreads germs that could make the baby seriously ill. Avoid close contact if you are contagious.
• To stop crying from pain like from teething – Again, blowing will not resolve the underlying cause of their pain. Use medications or cold teethers instead.
• If a baby seems scared/panicked by air on their face – Does not seem to have a calming effect on some babies. Discontinue if yours is upset by it.
• If the baby’s face is injured or irritated – Blowing could further aggravate rashes, scratches, or other sensitivities. Let face heal first.

While it may seem like an easy fix for crying, blowing should be avoided in situations where it could potentially harm or further upset the baby. Be attentive and address the real issue.

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Safer Ways to Soothe and Calm Your Baby

Here are some safer and more effective ways to soothe and calm a fussy, crying baby beyond blowing in a babies face :

• Hold baby close against your chest and rock gently – Your heartbeat and motion can be calming.
• Swaddle baby snugly in a blanket – This provides a sense of security.
• Give baby a pacifier to suck on – Sucking is comforting and distracting.
• Play soft music or white noise – This masks other noises that could disturb the baby.
• Take baby for a walk in a carrier or stroller – Motion and closeness brushes away tears.
• Give baby a warm bath – Warm water is soothing on their skin.
• Massage baby gently with lotion – Touch stimulates feel-good hormones.
• Sing lullabies or speak softly – Your voice brings comfort and reassurance.
• Dim the lights and avoid overstimulation – Too much commotion can be overwhelming.
• Check for signs baby is hungry/needs changing – Crying can signal basic needs.
• Ask your pediatrician about colic solutions – There are medications and natural remedies.
• Burp baby if crying is possibly from gas – Getting upwind can hurt.
• Offer teething toy if an eruption is causing pain – Cold pressure numbs sore gums.

With some attentive experimentation, you will find the soothing strategies that work best for your little one. While blowing may startle them into briefly forgetting their woes, it is not a lasting solution.

Is It Bad To Blow On Babies Face?

 No, gently blowing in babies face is generally not considered harmful or dangerous. However, there are a few things parents should keep in mind:

1. Blow very gently- A strong, forceful blow could startle or upset the baby rather than have a calming effect. You just want a light breeze to trigger the diving reflex.

2. Avoid routine forceful blowing- While an occasional gentle puff is fine for distraction, repeatedly blowing hard potentially strains the nervous system and developing lungs.

3. Don’t blow if a baby is coughing/sneezing- This could worsen respiratory irritations. Also, avoid if the baby seems panicked or scared by blowing.

4. Never blow if the baby is choking or has breathing issues- And be extra careful around bathtubs not to trigger breath-holding under water. 

The main thing medical professionals caution about blowing is that it doesn’t address the reason for a baby’s crying. It may pause them briefly but offers no lasting soothing. There are safer, more effective ways to calm a baby, like rocking, swaddling, singing, etc.

So on occasion, a light blow is probably harmless. Just be attentive, and gentle, and avoid routinely using it to cease crying. Determine what the baby needs instead! As long as you blow carefully and sparingly, it should not cause any trouble.

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FAQs of Blow on Baby’s Face

Conclusion on Blowing in Baby’s Face

As exhausted new parents, we tried every trick in the book those first few months to calm our crying newborn. Out of desperation, we even attempted blowing gently on our daughter’s face to startle and distract her. While it worked briefly, we realized it was not addressing why she was so upset in the first place. 

After doing more research and asking our pediatrician, we learned there are some risks associated with routinely blowing in a baby’s face. While an occasional gentle puff is unlikely to cause harm, it could spread illness, upset the baby further, or provide only a temporary distraction from their needs.

We soon discovered more effective, safer ways to soothe our little one through trial and error. Things like skin-to-skin contact, swaddling, pacifiers, white noise, baby carriers, and bedtime routines worked wonders and did not involve blowing air into our fragile baby’s face. Though we were willing to try anything those bleary-eyed newborn days, we’re glad we opted for better alternatives.

In the end, every parent must decide what they feel is right for their child. But with safer, proven ways to calm and comfort baby, blowing gently on their face need not become a regular trick. By understanding both the potential risks and benefits, we can make the best choice for our baby’s well-being.