AHHH... Help My 1 Year Old Is Gagging Himself?

I think you are probably right - he's most likely doing it for attention. If it were me, I'd try and ignore that behavior and focus on other things that he does that you can praise him for. I've also noticed that when my daughter starts acting out and doing negative attention getting behaviors, it's the times when I've been really preoccupied with other things and not really giving her enough one on one time, so you might consider that too.

its ok it really is, my little girl used to do this around that age it really is just for attn. what i used to do would be just to ignore her, yes she used to do it so bad she would through up but you have to be consistant,just act like nothing is going on and you might have to clean it up but i acted like it was no big deal,it didnt take long for her to stop. i really hope this helps you good luck,J.

We have two girls; athree year old and one year old and both of them have gone through this...I think it's a combination of attention (maybe) but also they're teething and just don't realize they can't have their entire fist in their mouth...it eventually passes....hang in there, LOVE his name!!

My daughter, who turned 2 last week, does the same thing. She started gagging herself about 6 months ago. I read about it and discovered that they are just exploring their bodies. The article said that it is harmless, although it is very gross and messy. My daughter does not gag herself nearly as much as she used to. She used to do it all the time - mainly in the car. So, your son will eventually grow out of this.

Two of my kids used to do this, one of them so much that she used to occasionally make herself throw up. It used to drive me crazy! I don't think there's a whole lot you can do about it except keep pulling his hand out of his mouth when he does it and telling him "no." With my little gagger, I just got to the point where I'd let her go to town and figured that eventually she'd realize it was no fun and stop doing it!

Needless to say, it was a relatively short phase -- she's now 10, and doesn't do that anymore!

My son is almost 15 months and still does this. He stopped for awhile but when he started teething again the gagging came with it. I don't know about your son but mine would get really drooly from having his fingers in his mouth. I'd let him get it all over and then I'd take an ice cold wet rag to his face and hands. He started to realize that when he does it, he drools and when he drools he gets cleaned up and he HATES that cold rag. If we're in the car, I just roll his window down and let the wind catch him in the face real well. (this might not always work because my son eventually came to like it) These kiddos are interesting but the good thing is that they usually outgrow the weirdness! My son rarely does it anymore. Good Luck and hope it helps!

Spanking, hitting or swatting is your choice as a mother but I agree with the other mom on this one. They will mimic your behavior and when something goes wrong you don't want him thinking he can hit.

My 14 month old has been known to do this, and I realized it was purely for attention. We ignore it now, and it happens very rarely.

my little boy did that too and it drove me crazy!! also, one of my friend's girls did that. i think they are just learning what their body does and it is a new sensation for them. plus, you're right, it gets our attention on them. i did what you are doing, saying no and swatting or removing his hand from his mouth. i also gave him something appropriate to put in his mouth instead. does he use a pacifier? maybe that would work. i used a chewy toy like for teething. i also tried to get him to make noises with his mouth.... humming or clicking his tongue. it worked for my little guy who is almost 3 now. good luck!!

My 11-month-old has been doing the same! I asked her doc about it at a recent visit, and she said it was very normal as they discover their bodies. They are fascinated that they can do that. She said, however, if it goes on for a long time, we should come see her about it.
Our dd had been doing it, and making herself throw up all of her dinner. I was so frustrated. I tried "no" and that didn't work. Then I took away her food and just gave her a beverage. When she continued at the next meal, I decided just to leave her alone to eat. Now that I'm not there to react, she doesn't do it. Amazing... I guess it was mostly to see my reaction!
As far as the hand-hitting... that's another debate. I think each parent should decide for themselves how to train a child in the way they should go. Don't feel badly about it.

My son did that too when he was about that age. He'd gag himself so that he'd spit up! It's normal -- He's just discovering his fingers & all the fun things he can do with them! That phase didn't last too long with my little guy. Try not to make a big deal about it and ignore it if possible (hard to do if he's making himself spit up)! If he gets a big reaction from you, he'll just continue to do it for the attention! Otherwise, he isn't hurting himself at all.

My daughter went through this phase about the same age. We tried to ignore it as much as possible unless we thought she was going to make herself throw up. She did grow out of it. I'm sure your son will, too. It's just a new trick he's learned. Try distracting him with a favorite toy or song.

very common... Mine did it too. I would just ignore him. He likes getting a rise out of you and clearly, you are giving him a response he finds exciting. He'll grow out of it.

Also, I would seriously re-consider the hand hitting. I'm sure you're just swatting but at some point he's going to pick up and mimic this behavior. Do you want him hitting you or others? Your hitting him like this sets the example that it's ok to do this.

I agree with Lisa 100%! Ignore and reconsider the hand swatting. Mine had the same behavior. I ignored him and it didn't last long. I have friends who made a deal of it whith their son and it lasted forever AND it got worse. I think he actually did succeed in making himself gag.

Oh I have a friend who's 1 year old does that too! She's a pediatric ER nurse and says it's not a big deal that he does it, just unpleasant! She just tries to catch him in the act, grab his hand out and say no no. We laugh though b/c she says while she is driving he will be in his car seat gagging himself....

Great name, Elija James! I have an 11.5 month old who walks with me holding her hands, I absolutely LOVE it and dread the day she doesn't need our help anymore....wah.

S.

My daughter did that too when she was younger. We ignored it because I think it was for attention. She almost made herself throw up but I think she realized one day that it felt really awful and she better stop because we weren't responding. I would say things like, "If you're frustrated, you can go hit a pillow but I'm not going to let you have XXXXXX." Hope that helps.

My daughters discovered the same trick -- they were s little older (the first was 3 and the second was 2)so they were able to articulate why they did it. they both said (seperately -- this happened years apart) that they didn't like the taste/texture of something that was going down, so they tried to get it out of thier throat. In one case, it was a drainage from a sinus problem. We taught them to get a drink of water instead of gagging themselves. If it's not a taste/texture thing, only behavioral for attention, the best thing to do is not make a big deal about it -- even ignore it. It's an unpleasant enough sensation that if he's not getting anything positive out of doing it (attention)then he might just stop on his own.

Both of my kids did this for a couple of months. The doc said it was fine and that they are just testing how their bodies work. In both cases they stopped doing it on their own and all is well. If you think it is more than just a phase, I would ask your doctor. But I remember thinking it was really strange, and I didn't want them to hurt themselves. It can't really hurt them though, unless it is actually make him throw up bile, etc. I know it is a bit unnerving, but it will pass. :) Good Luck!

My daughter did this too and for quite a while I just tried to ignore it or I would take her hands out of her mouth and tell her "NO!". Later I found out she was doing it when she had a sore throat and sinus drainage. I think it was her way of trying to hark it up. The ENT said her tonsils were so big they were actually touching each other when she opened her mouth wide. I think she may have been trying to get them out with her fingers. The poor thing was actually choking half the time. We had the tonsils removed in June and she hasn't gagged or choked since. She also quit sticking her fingers down her throat. You might just want to check w/your regular doctor and have him/her check your babies throat. Hope this helps.

My daughter did the same thing, but eventually stopped. I'm sure he will grow out of it.

Yes, My 20 month old does this occasionally too! I have no idea why. He usually stops when I ask him to.
M.
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