Don't Know How to Approach This Bizzare Behavior

I think it's most likely a phase. She has discovered a new "cause and effect" function of her body. Don't make too big of a deal about it. I'm betting it will pass.....hang in there!

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My son used to hold his breath and pass out when he did not get his way.
I know this is a very different situation, but I think ignoring her and not reacting is the best approach to stop the situation. One day my son began to hold his breath and I walked out of the room ( making sure he was safe, if he passed out) He never did it again.
Attention seeking does not reflect that you are neglecting her in any way. Toddlers love attention and the will try to get a reaction as much as possible. I hear it comes back as teenagers. ;-)

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My daughter did this as well, although I can't recall at what age. It only happened a few times until she finally understood that she was the cause of her gagging. I think it was more so a curiosity ordeal than any other.

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Hi L.!
My daughter almost 16 months as well gags herself. She started this behavior around 6 months. Usually she gags herself in the car. I am not sure why she does it? I am also a SAHM, and I too do not feel it is a behavior seeking attention. I think at this age as well as surrounding ages, they find something they can do, so they do it. I believe it is a way of exerting independence, it is something they have control over. So much of their day is dictated to them and it must be difficult. When my daughter gags herself, she smiles at me when I look at her. Who knows? Overall, it's more annoying for us than them.
All my best,
T.

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Hi L., It is true that at around this age, toddlers can develop a bit of a facscination with the gag reflex. My daughter never did it to the point of throwing up -- but she did gag herself a couple of times a day, for about 3 weeks. She seemed to do it most often when she was bored --- I noticed it happened the most in the car.
I looked it up online and saw that many kids do it - often for attention bc parents generally get very concerned when their kids do it.
The advice I took, and it worked, was to generally have little reaction to the gagging. You cant completely ignore it, but dont look too phased by it. When she begins to do it, try to distract her with something. Or if you are right by her, you could show her that she can use her finger to poke at things other than her throat... Like a pillow, or teddy bear, or her tummy, or a book that has the different textures in it (soft, smooth, rough, bumpy, etc).

If she throws up, treat it like it isnt a big deal. Just wipe up, and say "whoops", almost like she just spilled something. It should eventually stop.
I found that my daughter did it the most when I looked very concerned about it.

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My daughter does this too.. makes me crazy.. but she seems to do it more when I respond. I talked to a friend who is a nurse.. She said it is common because they don't know how to control it.. Give her some time..

good luck...

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This is not bizarre. It's your daughter learning about her body and how it works. At this point it may also be about a way to get your reaction. I suggest that you completely ignore it.

There have been several posts in the past couple of weeks with moms concerned about this very same thing. All of the answers have said that their kids did this too. so, relax, ignore and she'll stop.

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I agree with every one else that it's probably just (yet another) phase to be ignored until she bores of it. EXCEPT, be very sure that she doesn't have any underlying medical issue: I ignored this phase with my son (having seen one of my older kids do it for a month or so around the same age). But I just happened to have a regular Dr appt scheduled... turns out he had a mild ear infection! Dr said sometimes they don't have actual pain with ear infections, but will gag or choke themselves to alleviate pressure or a "yucky" feeling in their throat or ears. Just throwing that out there for you or anyone else who might be going through the same thing: I'd never heard of that, myself.

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My second daughter also went through a phase of obsessing with her gag reflex. Never to the point of throwing up, but she would stick her hand in her mouth far enough to gag herself. It's hard not to react, but doing so just made her think it was even funnier. As with everything else....that phase passed! Don't worry!

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my brother did the same thing when he was a toddler..i think they do it for shock value too..i would not act shocked..and just hug her and tell her that isn't good for her...try to catch her at it..and don't act like its really freaking u out..i think my mom said my brother enjoyed the reactions he was getting when doing that..my son did it for a little bit and got over it..i would just say.."no no! that's yucky"