Can Future Eating Disorders Be Seen at Very Young Ages

My daughter did the same thing. The more I would tell her no, the more she would also do it. She is now 2 1/2 and does it occasionally still. I have talked to the doctor several times because my daughter won't eat anything at all. She will snack on crackers and goldfish and peanut butter. The only whole food she eats is Chicken nuggets and french fries, which I know is not exactly healthy. The doctor said that she is gainging weight, is healthy and will eat when she wants to. Hope this helps some.

Hi K.! I'm a first time mom but I doubt she is trying make herself throw up. I'm not sure why she is not eating..maybe she's going through a change right now. I got married this summer and we invited some of my husbands friends that have kids. The 2 year old was always gagging himself at the table. I guess he thought it was funny but I think it is normal for kids to do weird stuff like that. I would ask your pedatrician though.

i wouldn't be too worried... my daughter is almost 13 months and she weighs 23lbs... and the gagging thing is normal. i think that part of it is that they want to know what can go down their throat and what can't, also they are curious about where all that food is going...
i took both of my kids off the bottle/formula on their 1st birthdays... my daughter was starting to turn down the bottle by the time that she was 11 months too. it's good for them to learn how to take all the nutrients that they need from solid foods. if you are really concerned about her shunning the formula you might break the amounts down to several sippy cups (with formula)at meals and only a couple of bottles a day.
good luck
T.

My 2 year old has had eating problems since I tried giving her baby food around 6 months She would occasionally eat it but not reguarly until around 9-10 months. I even had to put her on next step formula for older babies. She is under weight she lil over 2 and still weighs 23 lbs.she doesn't eat much and seh luvs fruit like oranges and grapes and cherry tomatoe but se will just pick at her meals and maybe eat couple bite or so.I hope this doesnt prolong into a eating disorder. Ashley is very active she is alway up running around playing so I know she is burning calories she doesnt have. I guess this didnt help you any but I uess I am having lil bit of the same problem except the gaging thing.
-A.

Both of my boys went through a really bad gagging faze. It freaked me out and the more I told them not to, the worse they were. So really the only thing I can tell you is that they outgrew it (thank goodness) and I'm sure your little one will as well. Good luck!

She might be putting her hands and other objects in her mouth because she is teething. I have an 11 month old daughter, and she is currently getting some of her back teeth. So everything, including hands, spoons, toys, you name it, goes into her mouth, and she often gags on these things. Her appetite comes and goes.

Also, I must let you know, being from New Orleans, she and my 3 year old son both eat lots of spicey, salty, and well seasoned food. This is a very purposeful choice. I ate that way while pregnant, nursing, and that's all they have known. I don't want them to grow up to be picky eaters. Both kids love jambalaya and red beans and rice with hot smoked sausage!

I could be wrong (i'm not a doctor of any sort) but i don't believe eating orders can occur in infants. My daughter (now 3) still goes full days where she barely picks at one meal and then she'll go a week or 2 where she cleans her plate and asks for more all day long...it corresponds with their growth spurts and is completely normal. Ask her MD if you are worried about her not getting anough nutrients.

Also, like Leslie, i live in New Orleans and my baby girl's first solid food was jambalaya with cayenne and she can now rival me in a boiled crawfish eating contest!! If a baby is raised on a certain type of food and doesn't show an allergic reaction it won't really hurt them. Of course watching their salt intake is a good idea, simply because high salt intake can cause future problems with high blood pressure. Just give her a good balance...spice won't hurt her right now.
As far as the gagging goes I don't think she is trying to be buleimic... first of all at 11 months old she does not have the concept that sticking a spoon down her throat will cause her food to come up...further more eating disorders like anorexia and buleimia stem from poor body image, something I don't believe an 11 month old could possibly have yet. Chances are she just thinks the gagging reflex is new and different and is just playing... she doesn't realize it could be harmful. Or it could be that she's getting teeth in the back and just isn't quite sure how to get to them... just consistantly pull her hand away from her mouth or take whatever object she's sticking in there away and sternly say "no!"... she'll catch on. Good luck hun, but try not to over-react.

Hey K.,

I went thru the same thing with my daughter. I think that it is something that is normal. Since she is teething, that might be why. I mean that is part of the reason that my daughter did it. I also think in part that they just do it b/c they can. I dont believe though that it is a sign of a eating problem. They just learn to play with things & learing all about their bosy & what it can & can not do. She is getting closer to, if not at that age, that they put things in their mouth.
I hope some of this helps. Personally I wouldn't worry, BUT I would discourage it though. I always would take her hand out of her mouth. I told her that was a no-no to do.
If you want though talk toyour Dr. about it. Thats what they are paid for. :)

I would take her to the pediatrician. Gagging themselves can be a sign of throat infections (doesn't necessarily hurt, but it feels funny and so they try to reach it) or of GERD in infants.

It could also be just a phase...but rather to be safe than sorry.

M.

Hey, I always wondered the same thing because my middle one used to do that (he is 3 now) and he is very healthy and eats almost everything. My daughter is 18 months does the whole gagging until her eyes are red also now but I am not to worried about it. I think she does it more so because she gets a rise out of me and thinks it's funny which could be the same with your child.

She is probably not eating because she is just not growing. My kids would go through stages of not eating cause they were not having a growing spurt, but when they finally would have one then I couldn't get them full, they are still doing this. Both of my sons would also find ways to gag themselves when they were younger. They thought that it was funny and everytime I saw them doing it I would pop their hands and tell them no. They finally quit doing it. Good Luck and don't worry. If you do have concerns then just talk to her doctor.