Question about my baby and gagging himself?

Question

This has been going on for a couple weeks now maybe off and on and I'm really worried about it. For some odd reason my son who is 15 months keeps trying to gag himself. He puts his finger all the way to the back of his throat until he throws up. I don't understand why he does this. Is this just something I'll have to let pass, I think I should make a doctor's appointment most likely. He usually does it when he's in his high chair, but there has been times when he has just been walking around the living room and trying to do it. I'm hoping maybe somebody else has gone through this and can tell me why or what it may be. Thanks for everyone's answers.

Answer 1

this is a weird feeling he is giving himself, like when babies pull their hair until they cry...
when he does it, firmly tell him "No, not nice!" and then take his hand and stoke his cheek and say "aww, nice" in a kind voice. he will get it eventually.
i don't really think you need to take him to the doctor unless you think he is malnourished from it.
i don't think i would ignore it, though, like some people have said. that could get messy :(

Answer 2

My daughter did that a little at that age, she never actually made herself throw up though. It passed after a few weeks. Try not to make a big deal out of it, he ight be doing it just to get attention or a reaction out of you. If he finds out that you aren't going to do anything then most likely he will stop. I would try that for about a week or so and if it does continue when you ignore it, then I would schedule an appointment with the doctor. Good luck!

Answer 3

one of two things are probably going on. first off he may be getting molars. my daughter always had her fingers down her throat when she was cutting her molars. usually these teeth come in between 12 to 16 months, sometimes much earlier at about 10 months and other times much later around 20 months. i'd take a look in his mouth. if you think it is his molars, tylenol when it seems to really bother him or an occasional fruit juice popsicle should do the trick. be carefull not to over react to his gagging though, or he may began to do it for attention.

which brings me to the next obvious suggestion. he is doing this because somehow he discovered it gets him attention. my daughter also seemed to do this. the only way is to ignore it, as previously stated above. do not react at all and eventually he will stop.

Answer 4

First of all, there's absolutely no need to contact a doctor over this. He's just discovering his body.

At 15 months, everything is a learning experience. Your son has just discovered that "If I put my finger in my mouth, I gag". It's the same as "If I push my sippy cup, it'll tip over" or "If I pull the kitty's tail, he'll run off". Just ignore it, and he'll stop. He's found a new activity..it'll pass as it gets old to him.

Answer 5

My 2 week old son has induced vomitting 3 times so far, because he LOVES sucking on his fingers, and he accidentally triggers his gag reflex. They don't conciously do it, they just want some finger suckin' time. So all I can do is laugh.... and keep wipes handy :)

Answer 6

He might just be curious about his gag reflex or maybe it's a ploy for attention. If the behaviour continues on for over a month, then it's the latter and you need to address that. i doubt a doc will have any help for you at this point.

Answer 7

My 2 year old does the same thing. He thinks it is funny when he does it. Don't worry about it. Like everyone said, it's just a phase.

Answer 8

Yes, I have gone through it with both of my kids. What on Earth possesses them to do that, I don't know! All I can suggest you do is to put mittens on them, or just keep taking their hands out of the mouths. Wierd........

Answer 9

He does it because it is fun. It is even funnier if mom freaks out.

Don't worry he won't hurt himself.