Vomits When We Put Him in His Crib

My son would make himself throw up when he was mad. It eventually stopped after a few months. I think the best thing to do would be to continue putting him in his bed. I know it's rough, but you have to get him adjusted to being in there again. Children do not handle change well! It will take a little time, but don't give up!

hi D.. I know another mother who delt with this with her son when he was younger. He's 3 now. But, it's a behavioral issue. Unfortunately, she had to go though several nights of cleaning sheets, etc. but he eventually stopped. But DON"T put him in your bed anymore or you will just extend the problem. Good luck. I know it's hard. Also, my daughter has reflux as well, which doesn't normally start out of nowhere. And when they have reflux they throw up all the time, not just in their crib.
E.

Maybe you could try making his crib a fun place too. For example, while you are putting clothes away or picking up in there you could put him in his crib with some toys or put on some music for him. He will probably be upset in the beginning, but once he realizes that the crib is not so bad he will eventually calm down. When he gets upset, don't pick him up. You can comfort him and reassure him that he's OK, you can even play with the toys with him. You may even want to give a new toy so that he is distracted from the idea of being in his crib. At night we have a musical night light that we put on when we lay our little guy down and in the beginning he would cry and now he just knows the routine. (He is also a year old.) Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hi, my daughter used to do this all the time. She is now 4 but she did this from the time she was one to about three. She would cry when I put her in the crib and then she would throw up so she could get out of her crib. I made the huge mistake of letting her sleep on the loveseat and it has taken me forever to break this habit. As of 1 month ago-she sleeps in her bed and doesnt throw up. I swear she knew what she was doing even at 1 1/2 yrs old. My pediatrician said it was probably anxiety and he told me to get these homeopathic teething tablets from the pharmacist because they are all natural and actually help soothe an upset stomach and nerves-they dissolve in their mouth. Good luck and stay strong!! S.

D.,

I would try to see a gastroenterologist because he may have reflux. My son was diagnosed with reflux after the age of 1. He's been on prevacid and he hasn't thrown up since. Does it only happen when you put him down? Has he ever thrown after giving him food, especially in the morning? Maybe you need to keep his upper body a little elevated. I hope this helps and good luck with your little one.

Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child addresses this issue. It seems cruel, but Dr. W says that it is more important to re-establish healthy sleep patterns in your son than to worry about temporary guilt. His method is, after long soothing, put him in his crib drowsy but awake and leave the room. There will be crying, screaming, and possibly vomiting...but one year olds are extremely capable of manipulation. The book says if they vomit...have towels down in the crib for quick clean up once they've fallen deep asleep. They know what works to get their way (sleeping back in your bed). You and your husband have to make a pact to get your son back into healthy sleep. If you want make signs and tape them to the outside of his door "we are the parents and we are helping our child"..."though he may cry, he will not die"..."this is out of love, not friendship"..."marriage first, children second" etc. It will help in any moment of weakness. It usually takes 4 nights to re-establish crib sleep once they've gotten used to mom & dad's bed. 4 nights of unpleasantries is much better than years of prolonged sleep issues and possible parent-child resentment. The main reason that a no-nonsense approach doesn't work is because one or more of the parents give in and confuse the child (oh I'll just go hold him for a second, I'll just give him a quick hug then leave, I'm tired, I'll let them sleep with us just for tonight). You MUST decide if you are both are going to carry it out to the end. There are much "gentler" methods...staying next to the crib but not touching until they fall asleep...reassuring from across the room etc. But those only confuse the child more (IMO). Cold turkey is the fastest and most effective method. There leaves no room for negotiation. The crib is their bed...bedtime is bedtime...I am the parent and you are the child.
You may want to pick up Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child if you don't have a copy...get the paperback version...it has helped my family more than you can imagine :)
Good luck!

I had two years of that!!! My doctor told me to let him sleep in it. I just couldn't do that. We got a little pooh chair that unfolded into a sleeping mat and let him fall asleep on that in the living room and carried him up to bed for a while. Then I got to the point where I could put him in his crib and sing songs until he fell asleep. Finally we got to the point where we could just read him a couple stories and walk out before he was fully asleep.

oh my! I've never heard of anything like this so I don't have any advice... just sympathy. And curiousity to hear the responses. I hope you get someone who can help!

If you think he's throwing up because of sickness then you just have to be patient, but it does sound like he's doing it to get out of the crib. My oldest son used to make himself throw up, so I know kids can do it. I would recommend simply cleaning him and the crib up and putting him back in. It may be awful for awhile, but like most bad habits, he'll stop eventually. It's better then letting him think it's okay to do something so horrible. Also, each of our kids have had "special" blankets and stuffed animals to sleep with to make them feel better.

Sounds like anxiety ...Ask your pediatrician about this...and mention "rescue remedy" (at the health food store)if there is no other physical issue.
A special blanket....something to soothe the little guy, a night light, soft music, anything that makes the crib a pleasant environment; and a lot of patience will ease him back into a comfortable routine..

WOW! Poor little guy... I would definitely talk to your pediatrician about this. I can't help much as I don't have the details about the situation.

Good luck!

S.