I have a 9 month old daughter who recently started teething. She has two bottom teeth and getting more. She recently started to put her four fingers in her mouth and down her throat. She is gaging herself but has not yet vomited from doing this. I am extremely worried about this. I have been trying to keep her occupied by giving her kitchen utensils and even the remote to play with to keep her hands out of her mouth. Any suggestions?
My 3 kids didn't do this, if they did it was only 1 time becasue I don't remember it being a problem. I think it's a phase, it sounds like they are exploring and learning about themselves. I wouldn't worry over it. Throwing up doesn't feel good and I think youre child will figure this out soon enough.
Hi. My daughter did this too. Shes 21 months now and I would say she did it maybe when she was 15 months up to maybe 18 months, on and off. I have no idea why she did it, sometimes she did it and she would vomit. She eventually stopped and hasnt done it since. I dont know if its a phase some children go through but there was really nothing I could do to stop her. I would tell her no and remove her fingers but she would just do it anyway when I wasnt looking.
K.
M.,
Whew! I am not the only one! My son is 15 months and he finally passed that stage a few weeks ago. He gagged himself to throwing up only 2x but it was so concerning for me. I also can tell you this: the more I reacted to him doing it by saying "no, we don't do that" or "please stop that" he would smile and do it more. When I started ignoring it he eventually stopped. It is a phase and she will outgrow it! No worries! I checked with his ped at one of his check ups and they said it was normal.
Chris
This is actually an important developmental stage. In newborns the gag reflex is far forward in the mouth. As babies put things farther and farther back in their mouths it moves the gag reflex to the back of the mouth (where it is for us). If the gag reflex continues to be toward the front, it can create big eating issues, so don't worry!
Also, as one mom said, try not to react at all. Even if she vomits, just clean it up without comment and move on. Gagging can become a purposeful behavior if it gets attention.
Finally, be prepared for more gagging as she tries new food textures and flavors. Don't give up if she gags on the first bite...by the 3rd or 4th the gag is usually gone. It takes at least 20 different "exposures" for a child to truly like or dislike a food. If eating becomes an issue, don't wait...call your Early Intervention program for help!
Chris (occupational therapist and mom)
M. my son went through the same thing at about 6 months when his bottom two teeth came in. He started doing it again when his top two teeth came in. I just gave him teething rings and cold things he could chew on. I think it's just a phase. Good Luck.
M.,
I think all kids do that--kind of like a new toy or something! Don't worry, it's a passing phase. Just give her chewies and the like for the teething.
Hi
My daughter is just about a year old now, she did the same thing for awhile. I think they just put their hands in their mouth and until they learn not to put them in so far they gag. Maybe they think it's funny as it is a new/ different sensation and babies are all about sensory input. Mine eventually just stopped doing and never made herself vomit. This too shall pass...
