Toddler makes himself throw-up

**Iansmommy** · 06-22-2008, 01:56 PM

My 10 month old is quite a handfull. He is in to everything and when you tell him "no" he will usually look at you and laugh. There are times when I have to put him in his exersaucer or playpen so I can step out of the room or just get a break from chasing him around.

The thing is, when I put him in his exersaucer or playpen, he will stick his fingers down his throat and make himself vomit.

I'm not sure how to break him of it, I've told him "no" and taken his fingers out of his mouth, but he will continue to do it. My other 2 didn't do this so I am not sure what to do at this point.

Any advice?

**Jamauk** · 06-22-2008, 02:22 PM

My oldest did this (in fact I had forgot about it until just now!). Its his way of getting you to come back into the room and give him the attention he was trying to get by running around like a wild man!

My son grew out of it quickly once his verbal skills developed enough where he could communicate with us a little more.

Its tough - but I've been where you are (I'm on my second wild child!). Good Luck!

**suebeehoney** · 06-22-2008, 07:41 PM

Trust me, this is just a ploy to get your attention. If he does it, clean it up without saying ANYTHING to him or even looking at him. Then walk away and continue what you were doing. I know this may sound harsh, but this is akin to a temper tantrum. You're not giving him what he wants, so he's going to find a way to MAKE you give him attention.

He will most likely stop after you do this a few times. It will be hard to do, but if you give him the attention he wants every time he does this, it's the same as giving in to a temper tantrum. Once he realizes he can't get your attention by doing that, he'll stop.

**lisettelovebug** · 06-22-2008, 08:51 PM

Boy he sounds like a handful.

I'm sure he'll grow out of it if you don't reward the behavior with your attention. My daughter was sticking her fingers down her throat and making herself gag a few weeks ago. She's almost 2 and 2 year olds are quite unusual characters. lol. I kept warning her that she was going to make herself ill and she finally did. She didn't like that and she hasn't done it since.

**pip** · 06-22-2008, 10:58 PM

I remember my oldest son doing this once when he was around two. I purposely looked away and wiped all expression off my face. Luckily he never did it again!

**Palooka** · 06-25-2008, 01:58 AM

Oh wow, I feel for you. My one year old, just all of a sudden discovered how to scream this week. Gah! If he starts to cry because something doesn't go his way, this is like his cool 'tool'. I try to just ignore it and not re-act. It's hard though.

It's funny because my first was soooo strong willed, the second was sooo layed back and easy going, and he just falls in the middle. lol

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-25-2008, 07:07 AM

My youngest did this when he was younger. He didn't use his fingers, he was just able to do it. It was his way of getting attention and there wasn't too much I could ever do about it. Jamauk is right, once the verbal skills develop, this usually stops, at least it did with mine.

I just tried to not show any reaction when he did it. Like it was just another part of my day. I'd also make him help me clean it up, but at that age, (my son was older...around 2) that wasn't really much of a punishment. If I did it now, he'd have a heart attack at having to help clean!

I hope this stage doesn't last too long for you!

**cissylu** · 06-25-2008, 12:04 PM

wow I feel for you. mind didn`t do that.
But dg son would throw up are make his nose bleed to keep from being punished,.
He is wanting your attention and he will out grow i.
good luck.

**SewCrafty** · 06-25-2008, 04:21 PM

Leah, I am very sorry your little one does this as I have never heard of it.

Now on to the funny part:

I ask for "Today's Posts", I see your thread and look across to the right to see what forum it is in. Well my eyes see "Preparedness and Survival" instead of "Family".

Nope not you, just my crazy eyes. The thread below yours is in "Preparedness and Survival". LOL I'm thinking your post kind of fits in that category too though, don't you?

**itsahumanzoo** · 06-25-2008, 04:36 PM

My DS used to stick his fingers down his throat and gag himself when we were in the car. I'm guessing it was because I wasn't paying attention to him while driving. I told him no firmly and then ignored him and it eventually stopped. He never made to actually throwing up though. I'm sure that would have stopped him even faster.

I'm sorry you're having to go through this but I promise they do grow out of it. You just can't give them much attention over the issue. They realize it's nothing and quit doing it.