Any Ideas - Lafayette,IN

Babies explore by putting things in their months. Their tongue and the bottom of their feet are the most sensitive areas right now so that is what they want to feel with. He doesn't know that he can gag himself my touching around in his mouth. I think he is fine. Beware it sounds like he is going to put everything in his mouth. My son is 2.5 and my daughter is .5. My son wasn't like that, but my daughter will put everything in her mouth. Yesterday I caught her eating grass while we were outside playing. My son did chew on his fingers a great deal when he was teething. He started getting teeth at 4 months.

My 3 year old has been doing the same thing. I think it's a phase or exploring his body. I think he also does it to get attention because he knows he is baby'd when he's sick and gets medicine. I had to tell him to stop doing that. He would do it at meals sometimes too. I think it's a phase. I guess you'll just have to keep an eye on it. Since he's so young, there isn't much reasoning with a 3 year old. lol.

get him to a doctor immediately. This is not right.

it's a lot more common then you think. my best friend did it when she was little and both her kids do it now (2 1/2 and 15 months) even my 7 month old does it on occasion..try not to give to much attention for it thats what makes them do it more because they think they are being praised..although if you are truly worried i would talk to your pediatrician but it sounds like the normal stage just about every kid goes through.

Are you sure it is not spit up? Maybe he is over feeding him? not burping him enough? moving him around alot after feeding? Or laying him down flat while feeding?

At this age he just discovered his hands and he is investagating them. I do not htink he is gagain himself on purpose... have g-pa watch him closely when he is putting his hand in his mouth.

Kids do stuff like this. These people who are saying it could lead to an eating disorder and so on are nuts. He's three. It may be he does it for attention, but not necessarily. My three year old gags herself sometimes with her fingers. She doesn't throw up, but she just might throw up as easily as your son. I think she usually is trying to get a hair or a fiber out of her mouth or she is just having a "baby" moment of oral fixation and sucking on her fingers. She used to use a binkie, but was never a thumb sucker. Sometimes I think she's sucking on her fingers and just sucks too hard and they go in too far. Maybe your son is doing a similar thing as comfort for him while your away.

Whatever it is, I would maybe bring it up at an appointment if you're concerned, but I wouldn't take a special trip to the doctor. Its really not a big deal.

My youngest dd went through a stage when she was 3 where she would stick her fingers down her throat. She did this for a couple months or so.

She fortunately only threw up one time but, unfortunately, it was when we were at a restaurant. The throwing up really surprised her because she had never been sick and thrown up before. That was the last time she did that.

not normal to stick finger down throat have you asked your 3 year old why? whats up?

A.,

Does your son do this when you are home, or only when you are out of the house?

R. W

This does not sound normal. I am from a big family and had 3 kids myself and now have 2 grandkids and I have never heard of a 3 yr old doing such a thing. I would definitely consult a doctor.

From what I have seen, NO this is not normal. I wouldn't panic too much just yet though. Talk to him about it first and try to get a feel for his reasoning. If he is doing it for control, call the doc FAST! If he just thinks it's neat or something, explain to him that it is unacceptable behavior and he will be punished for it. Tell him, in his language, how unhealthy it is. If he has a person that he looks up to, like daddy, grandpa, sibling, their support on the matter could be invaluable. If for one minute you feel like this is beyong what you can control, please call the doc. This is what I would do. Good luck and PLEASE keep us updated on how this comes out. I will say a prayer for your little one. Shannon G.

Definitely get it checked out as soon as possible.

My son went thru that phase around that age also.. he was more exploring I think what the effects of it were.. there were several days he would walk into the room w/ vomit down his shirt but was fine...I would just tell him "no" we keep are hands out of our mouth...eventually it got old and he is on to nose picking

Heather I think you read her post wrong, her child is 3 years old not 3 months.

It sounds a litlte weird to me that a 3 year old is doing that. Could it be a cry for attetion? Or maybe a learned behavior from something he saw on TV?

It might not be anything to worry about but I would keep a good eye on it and ask yoru doctor what he thinks.

Good Luck!

Hi A.,
I am gonna say, its probably a good idea to keep an eye on him and when he does it. If he does it when your dad watches him, maybe its his way of saying I miss mommy! If he does it because he has seen someone else do it, you need to keep the person whom he saw do it away! Its more of a learned behavior for a child to do things like this. My 2 year old daughter walks up to her sisters and grabs them by the throat and says, "CHOKE!" I've noticed that its when she watches "THE SIMPSONS" Because my older two love the simpsons. I now do not allow that show on my television at all, unless she is asleep and can not hear what is going on. She doesn't do it anymore! Thank God!! But I would just keep an eye on his behavior, if it seems to change to depression or he seems a little down and apart from everyone, than I'd have him seen. Maybe he has something stuck in his throat?? That's another possibility reason why his finger would be in his throat, he might be trying to get that something out of his throat. My nephew did something like that when he was almost a year, but he had a penny and a rusty screw stuck in his throat. So they had to do surgery. So maybe if he's still doing the finger thing, and he's not eating much or drinking, I'd get him checked out!! Good Luck!

I have never heard of a child that young doing this sort of thing. I would contact his pediatrician and have things checked out. I know older people do this because they are bulimic, but not a child. That does not sound normal and I would if it was my child get into the doctor to make sure there isn't any underlying issue as to why he does this.
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

I would definitely get it checked out. There has to be a reason for the change in his behavior.
R.

My 3 year old gags himself occasionally while exploring with his hands. I cannot remember if it has led to throwing up but very well could! He just did the gag thing yesterday while on the couch watching cartoons. Its kind of funny typing that last sentence out! Dont worry about it!!
Good LucK!

Hi A.,
Our daughter used to do the old finger down the throat trick too, only she did it when she was at school so they would send her home. I would say it's probably pretty normal and it's either him getting a kick out of his gag reflex or he is getting some attention out of it. (perhaps both) Maybe just sit down and have a talk with him about it but I wouldn't be too concerned. It's pretty normal. Good luck!

Wow, if he's doing that then it may be a phase, my one son went through this except he didn't actually throw up, he sort of gagged alot and it was during the day right in front of us, so I was able to see it, it (that phase) went away. I think that they experiment with their body and what it can do, my one shoved beans up his nose and the other kept food in mouth for hours like chimpmunk, at times, and then they veg on that one thing for a bit! What I would do is, this weekend if you'll be home at night just peek into his room and hope he doesn't see you. If you have a baby monitor, put it near your ears, sort of spy on him to see if it happens. If it doesn't than not to worry you, but maybe you should take him to the Dr.s just to have a look see and discuss this with the doc. That way you can have peace of mind.

I am a stay at home mom of 4 ages 11(boy), 8(boy), 5(girl), and 3(boy).