My 16 Month Old Son Makes Himself Throw up When He Doesn't Get His Way.

Beth?
He's 16 months old. (He isn't even at the age of reason yet.) Yes... great advice on spanking your 16 month old because he throws up when he gets very emotional- throwing some bible verses at it isn't going to make him solely stop either. (Although, it might help mom relax a bit.) I'm actually in shock about that response- total and complete shock.

I agree with the other moms. Bring him to a pediatrician- (Dr. Tate at Metro Peds in the Twin Cities is AWESOME.) Talk to the Dr. about the problem. (Maybe it's acid reflux?) It could be something like when someone coughs a lot- they gag. There's so many other things it could be, besides just behavioral. My daughter throws her fists on the ground and shakes when I take something away. I usually just sit there and wait for her to finish. (Precious.)
Sorry it's causing so much stress at home. (And how embarassing at Church!) People sometimes forget that our kids do whatever they'd like... and it's not always our plan that causes it. I'll be sending good wishes your way.

K., (and Ava.)

BTW, I received a nasty little response from Beth. (Thank you, Beth.) Proves my point further. Take Care.

I am also in shock of the response to take a switch or a rod to a child who is only beginning to understand right from wrong. I'm sorry J., I don't really have any good advice of my own, but I just wanted to express my displeasure in that advice. I am very disappointed in the fact that a Christian woman with that background would take that approach with a child that young who wouldn't fully understand the meaning.
I think maybe it's the fact that he doesn't quite know how to express his emotions and it gets his stomach in knots and the only way he can show you is to throw up. Maybe teaching him some baby sign language might help so he can tell you what he wants better (I am just assuming he doesn't have a lot of language skills yet). Asking your pediatrician is also a good idea. I'm sure he/she would have a good answer for you. Good luck with the situation and please let us know how it turns out.

My 2 1/2 year old does this too. She gets so worked up she throws up. I don't think it is intentional though and I know she doesn't want to throw up because one time when she was having her fit I just held her and said calm down otherwise you will throw up and that seemed to snap her out of it because she didn't want to throw up. She has trouble handling her feelings/anger/etc. and we are trying to teach her how to take deep breaths to calm down so we can then talk about it. Other than the deep breathing I am not sure what to tell you because it is sometimes hard to tell if they are throwing up intentionally or just as a side effect of getting so worked up.

Good luck.

Our son just turned 3. He was adopted from Korea and came home when he was 14 months. He too would get himself so worked up he would throw up. When being told "no," he would look at us and throw up, no working up to it. This "phase" lasted almost a year and forced me to purchase a steam cleaner. I am not sure what has put this into "remission" it could be because he is older and can communicate better.

I know what your going thru. You could try ignoring him when he gets into a fit and tell him that when he settles down you will read him a book, etc. We tried sending our's to his room, but then he would just throw up in his bed.

You may also want to speak with your pediatrician just on the off chance that he has some gastro-intestinal issues.

Let me know how it goes. If I can think of anything else we may have tried I will let you know. T.

I hope you have received some good advice, but please never consider spanking your 16mo. old baby. Never.

J.,
I'm sorry he's having such a hard time...and you too! I've got two kids(5 1/2 & 9) that both tend to get themselves worked up to the same point. What's worked for us is to explain that they're going to make themselves sick and they need to calm down - keep your voice low and calm but authoratative, too. I've also told them that if they make themselves sick they have to clean it up - now that they're older. If you're in a position to do so, rub his back while you're telling him he's going to make himself sick - that seems to help too. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

"Lovingly" beat your child? That woman has some serious issues! Your child isnt making himself throw up on purpose unless he is sticking his finger down his throat, vomiting is an involentary act. He is just getting himself too worked up, I think in time you'll see it get better as he grows and developes and is able to express himself verbally. I hope you will let Beth know that you are rejecting her advice, I myself already messeged her and told her that I thought it was terrible advice. She may accuse the rest of us as being "Proud", and in my opinion she is a child abuser, cowardly hiding behind The Good Book and usuing it as an excuse to justify mistreating her own kids. Thats just terrible advice!

I was reading some of the posts and I saw 1 that said soemthing about sign language. That is a very good start! I would do that right away. My son is going to be 5 years old and he just started talking Feb of 2004. I have an older daughter that is deaf and special needs. I have used sign with both my children and that has helped through the 2's and 3's that I was told was going to be so bad. Communication is 1 of the biggest problems from my experience, and once that is under control life gets much easier. As for the throwing up I would try to keep him as calm and relaxed as can be. I think that he is just getting so upset (like said earlier) that his tummy is all in knots. I know my self when I get so upset and hold my feelings in I get that way also. It could be an attention thing, or it could be that he needs more from you even if you feel he gets enough. If it were to be acid reflux you would be able to smell acidicness on his breath. My daughter has had that for 6 years. I hope that this helps
Take care, K. www.taraclark2000.com

I have to agree with the other posters...spanking a 16 month old child is too early. Plus, I would only condone spanking if my child were doing something that was putting them in danger (running out into the street). I too am a born-again, God-fearing Christian who goes to church every Sunday, however I do not believe that spanking is the answer to every behavioral situation. I would prefer seeing other avenues exhausted before resorting to spanking, although I know some children will only respond to spanking. From what I have read, some babies do this when they get worked up and it is just one of those things. I guess all you can do is try to keep him calm, reassure him, and reward him when he is upset and expresses it in a positive manner, instead of throwing up. This too shall pass.

When my duaghter was about that age she too did this to get our attention or her way. If he is like her he will learn (or grow out of) such behaviour. It is frustrating and at times quite embarrassing but it will get better. I think when my daghter was about 2.5 (this sounds young I know) I started telling her that if she continues to do this she would be the one to clean it up (at home). By 3 years old she was sent to do just that and after 2 times it ended.

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this but it really is a faze and will improve I promise you!