Toddler Gagging Himself

My son did that too. I told him not to, but he didnt always listen. He eventually stopped. It was fun to him and he did it for attention. I would just tell him to stop and then ignore him if he continues. He will grow out of it. But dont make a huge deal out of it, that will keep him doing it if he gets a big reaction from you.

I had to smile when I read your question. My little guy did the same thing at that age. He was my third baby, and I thought nothing could shock me, but that threw me for a loop. Our pediatarician said some babies just think that their gag reflex is a really cool sensation. Indeed, he would usually grin after he puked. Don't worry, it will pass. Enjoy your little man, and good luck with #2!

My kid used to do this all the time and it drove me nuts! I just tried to ignore it the best I could and he grew out of the phase. I know, I know, that doesn't make it less annoying especially when they throw up (gross...tell me about it!), but I can assure you he won't do it forever. I think my son just thought it was a new and interesting sensation.

I agree with the other 2 posters. Is he drooling? Could he be teething?

A little about me.

Stay at home Mom, married to the same man for 20 years. Two children adopted - one who is 9-1/2 years old boy from Champaign, IL and a girl from China. We live near Chicago.

My son did the same thing around the same age. He was mad whenever he was contained in the car or at the table. He did make himself throw up a couple times. My doc said if he is in the car, keep a special toy to give him to distract him only when he is doing it. It is for attention. My son has since stopped, thankfully, so he will grow out of it. Good luck!

WOW - the mom's below were good! They ignored it. I actually started saying, "Maggie, no fingers, it'll make you sick". Then, when she did it and got sick or gagged, I would say, "See, no fingers, you got sick". I thought I was tying in the natural consequence to her action by telling her what gagging or "sick" was. It eventually stopped; however I guess I could have used less words if I check out the other posters!

Good luck
J.

Oh yes the discovery of the throat phase. I just went through that with my son. He thought it was the funniest thing...He will deffinatly grow out of it. My son is 19months now and he still does it every so often. I would tell him not to do it when he did but no matter what he did it anyways the best advice I can give is to ignore it because the more attention you give it the more he will do it. Good luck

How ironic to read this. We just took our 2 year old for his check up yesterday and asked our pediatrician about the same behavior. About two weeks ago he started gagging himself, usually at nap time, but sometimes when he is up and about playing. Since he doesn't appear to be in any type of distress (crying when lying down or after eating) or crying while he is gagging himself (in fact he seems fairly amused by it) our pediatrician ruled out any type of reflux or other acid issue. Her suggestion was to just calmly remove his fingers from his mouth and say "stop". HTH :)

This is a new baby experiencing new things. He just found an interesting new experience! One that he can feel any time he wants! I would COMPLETELY ignore it. If he actually makes himself throw up just clean it up with no words and then stop playing with him for a little while. He will most likely grow out of it. He will probably stop shoving his finger down his throat when he finds that even more interesting thing he can find every time you change his diaper - that feels even better than the feeling he gets putting his finger in his throat.

My daughter is 14 1/2 months and has been gagging herself for almost 2 months now, she has vomited twice because of it and makes that gagging sound every time she does it which is very often. It is very upsetting and worry some. I am glad to hear she is not the only one but it is still frustrating and seems like nothing works. I tried ignoring t, keeping her occupied, giving her the pacifier and she does it at all times of day. Any help would be appreciated, it is very upsetting..

I have seen this before. I help out with the 2 and 3 year old sunday school rooms at church . There is one little guy that is almost three I think and he puts his fingers in his mouth all the time. On one occasion he did gag himself and throw-up. I don't know if he does it all the time, but I did observe it that one time. I had to remind him the remainder of the class time to not put his fingers in his mouth.

I think he may have been trying to cut a molar and he just stuck his fingers too far in his mouth and choked. Have you talked to the pediatrician? I would have his throat checked out just in case....maybe his tonsils are enlarged and bother him? Who knows. I had englarged tonsils as a teenager and I can tell you that they had holes in them that would get stuff built up in them and it would kinda make my throat tickle.