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Toddler wakes up from a nap, starts sucking her thumb and STOPS BREATHING; this terrifying possibility is common

“COME HOME, NOW!”

Those are the words that Amber Stocksdale heard on the scariest call she received in her life, while she was at work.

It was her husband, Adam on the other end of the line. He had frantically explained to her that their 16-month-old daughter, Addison, was not breathing and he didn’t know what to do.

Amber had never ever prayed harder than during that 15-minute drive she took home. She was in utter shock, terrified of what she might find when she arrived back home.

The situation turned out to be any parent’s most awful nightmare. Addison was completely fine when she went down for her nap, but when she woke up, she was clearly not herself. Instead of being her normal, bubbly self, she was completely lethargic.

“She laid down on the floor and started sucking her thumb and passed out, unconscious,” Amber said to FamilyShare. “She stopped breathing.”

And that’s exactly how Adam found his baby girl. She was laying unconcious on the living room floor when she suddenly started seizing. Fortunately, the Father knew how to do rescue breathing (he had learned how as a boy scout).

He helped Addison regain consciousness and was able to get her to breathe on her own before he rushed her to the hospital.

At the hospital, Addison was then given Motrin and fluids to bring her fever down. Meanwhile, Amber had to keep her own fear in check so that she could make sure Addison stayed conscious.

Addison’s diagnosis was very confusing for all. She had a febrile seizure, which happens when a child’s body temperature spikes, according to Mayo Health Clinic. But usually a fever spikes because of an infection, and Addison didn’t have one.

The cause was something that every child goes through. Addison’s fever spiked so high because she had a sudden growth spurt and four teeth were coming out. This meant that even though her seizure stopped and the fever broke, Amber couldn’t let her guard down.

“I was in mom-mode: I turned my feelings off and focused on making sure she stayed conscious,” Amber said. “It has definitely kept me on my toes more!” Amber said. “I definitely appreciate her health much more. It has also reminded me to always be in tune with my mom-instincts: if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”

Amber and Adam’s terrifying story can relate to any parent who worries about the safety of their child. Every parent deals with frightening moments-or years- where they worry about what will happen to their baby. Amber advises to stay strong and find the support you need.

At some point, every parent deals with frightening moments-or years- where they worry about what will happen to their baby. Amber advises parents to stay strong and find the support you need.

“Lean on your friends, family, and especially the Lord for support in this scary time,” she said.