Choking

I just went to lunch today with a friend with a 16 month old boy who does this. He throws up sometimes, but the doctor told her to just let him and don't give it attention. Giving him other things doesn't work because it makes him laugh and I think in his own way he likes the way it feels. Sounds pretty normal from reading what other moms said.

Dear J.,

Just distract her, and as often as she does, it get her mind on something else, if she does it a second and third time, keep on doing something to get her mind off of it. She will eventually quit and you will be the champion. If you talk to her about it, then you will make it more ingrained in her memory. Just take her hand and sing and song, or clap her hands together, or take her outside to see the birdies, or something fun. You know what I mean. Just do not talk about it to her or with other people when she can hear. Babies are smart - and maybe she will forget or just 'decide' to cooperate. You can only hope for that one.

Also, for the one that has issues. If you and your husband can decide how to handle situations, and do it consistently. It will be very helpful, and will not confuse the child, who is probably already confused by either feelings he has or what ever disability that he may have. Keep taking him to the doctor and asking for advice . He deserves for you to do the best you can to give him a good start on living a comfortable and relaxed and happy life. He is going to be a Dad someday, yes, he will. Give him the skills to do a good job with your grandchildren. No, I am not kidding. C. N.

Most kids go through a gaggging stage, my daughter included. Not only does it get everyone's immediate attention (doesn't really matter to them wether it i positive or negative) but some children actually enjoy the sensation. Don't ask me why, they just dont associate gagging and throwing up with something that necessarily feels bad. My daughter made herself throw up a few times during the course of the gaggin phase also. I agree with the other moms - just ignore it. Once you no longer give her that attention, she'll stop doing it and find another, perhpas just as inappropriate way, to get it!

Maybe try to give her a blankie or a soft stuff animal w/ some satin fabric to see if she like to suck those instead of choking her finger. Probably she just want to have thing in her mouth all the time, and a stuff animal or blankie wouldn't hurt her. And I think you would wanna bring it up to the pediatrician the next time you see him/her too.

Good luck!

I think you seriously need to have her evaluated. I have never heard of this and it almost sound like OCD to me. I am not an expert but I don't think that could be considered any type of normal behaivor for anybody at any age. You have every right to be worried and I say you don't just take one doctors word for it if he says that she will grow out of it if that doesn't feel right to you. Remember....no matter how many degree's or how much education anyone else has NO ONE is an expert on YOUR child except for you.

I'm sorry but this is slightly humorous. My daughter did this as well for several months and we just told her things like, "See baby, that hurts" or similar things. At first we would try to stop her from doing this but it is really just a stage. She will continue to do this until she learns for herself that this hurts everytime. We stopped giving her attention everytime and she finally stopped. Don't worry, she's not gonna hurt herself and she will stop eventually. Good luck.

J.:

My two year old went through the same thing your daughter seems to be doing at almost the same age, but she was making herself vomit. It was a phase that lasted a few months and eventually went away. Honestly, I stopped making a deal of it and soon enough she stopped.

There is hope - it's not harming her, just be patient! Hope this helps a little.

J.,

I have two year old twins and my Son would do this all the time when he was younger. I say let it be (for the most part). Like almost everything else this is just a phase and the pay off is the attention that it immediately grabs from you. Just give a firm no no when you see her doing it. Better she gag on her finger than try it with toys or other objects that she can hurt herself on. I promise she will outgrow this along with a thousand other odd behaviors that will annoy you too!

Good Luck!
Kim

Hi J.
I went through this same thing with my 2 year old son. He would put his finger down his throat. I noticed he only did this when his dad was home. He would do this to get his one on one attention. Once, my son had his dad's attention it stop. I think if you notice the times that she does this try to distract her by giving her one on one time. Another tip is to offer her something to munch on. Maybe she is trying to get your full attention.
I hope you resolve this soon.
K. C