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Induced vomiting
My son who is 14 months old frequently puts his fingers at the back of his throat and gags first then vomits. This is not during eating but while playing and the rest of the day. It's like a game for him. He started at 12 months old. He does this many times a day. How do I get him to stop this habit?
Answers (28)
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If this continues this may cause other problems. Initially you can try changing his habit at home by removing his hand from the mouth when he puts it in. If this doesn’t help you’ll need to consult a paediatrician/ paediatric psychologist for further evaluation and guidance.
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need more information
kindly consult
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Its mostly becoz something would be present in his throat .check whether he is having any cough fever .consult an ent for the same so that they could examine and give you a better result .they cud rule out any infection over there.if ent gives a positive feedback as throat clear then visit a psychiatrist..child psychiatrist for thorough checkup.
Next Steps
visit child psychiatrist and ent
Health Tips
always recheck and analyse the child frequently
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Please consult
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This is a behavioral habit, not disease.
Gently stop finger-to-mouth habit
Distract child immediately
Trim nails
Do not scold
Usually resolves on its own.
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If continued further , may lead to small tears in oesophageal mucosa leading to Mallory weiss tears . If there is no blood , he needs counselling to reduce this condition .
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At this age, many toddlers discover their gag reflex and may repeat it out of curiosity or for attention. In most cases, this is a behavioral habit, not a serious illness—especially if your child is otherwise active, feeding well, and growing normally.
However, frequent gagging and vomiting should not be ignored, as reflux, throat irritation, enlarged tonsils, or sensory behaviors can sometimes contribute.
Next Steps
• Observe if it happens more when bored, tired, or seeking attention
• Check for red flags: poor weight gain, feeding difficulty, choking, breathing issues, or vomiting without gagging
• A pediatric consultation helps rule out medical causes and guide behavior management
• Early guidance can prevent this habit from becoming persistent
Health Tips
• Calmly do not react when he does it (reaction can reinforce the behavior)
• Gently remove his hand and redirect him to a toy or activity
• Keep his hands busy with age-appropriate toys
• Avoid scolding or showing alarm
• Maintain a regular routine and minimize idle time
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This behavior in a 14-month-old is very common and developmental. Toddlers at this age discover their gag reflex and repeat the action because it feels interesting or gets a reaction from adults. It is not due to stomach disease or throat problems, and most children outgrow it naturally over a few weeks to months.
Next Steps
Do not panic, scold, or rush to him when he does it, as this reinforces the habit. Gently move his hand away and calmly redirect him to a toy or activity. Keep his hands busy with safe teething toys or finger foods. Ensure he is eating and drinking well so hunger does not trigger gagging.
Health Tips
Avoid laughing, showing shock, or giving extra attention during the behavior. Never put your fingers or objects into his mouth to stop it. Watch for red flags like poor weight gain, blood in vomit, breathing difficulty, or continuous drooling. If any of these appear, consult a pediatrician.
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What your child is doing is quite common at this age and is usually a behavioral habit, not an illness. Around 1–2 years of age, children explore their body and reactions. When he puts fingers in the throat, it triggers gagging and vomiting, and the reaction itself becomes interesting or “fun” for him.
Why it happens:
• Strong gag reflex at this age
• Curiosity and self-exploration
• Attention or reaction from people around
• Sometimes mild acidity or teething discomfort can add to it
How to help him stop:
• Do not scold or panic when he does it
• Avoid giving extra attention to the act
• Gently remove his hand and distract him with toys or play
• Keep his hands busy (toys, blocks, balls)
• Trim nails short and keep hands clean
• Maintain regular meals and avoid overfeeding
This habit usually settles on its own as the child grows and learns other ways to play.
When to seek evaluation:
• Vomiting occurs without finger use
• Poor weight gain, feeding refusal, or frequent coughing
• Blood in vomit or persistent irritability
For further reassurance and guidance, please contact me directly on Practo.
Dr. RS Pankaj
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Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake
Do connect and consult
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Usually an ‘Oral Phase of Development’. If his milestones are not met then needs review by a children’s doctor.
All the best.
J G S R clinic
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This might harm in long run. Consult for its solution.
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Need some more details kindly consult
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At this age, many children discover new sensations and sometimes repeat them like a game, even if it makes them gag or vomit. What you’re describing is often a behavioral habit, not an illness, especially since it happens during play and not mainly during meals. It usually does not mean anything serious if your child is otherwise active, eating well, and growing normally. If you want, we can also talk about this in an online consultation and see if anything specific in his routine is encouraging it.
Next Steps
The main step is not to react strongly when he does it, as attention can reinforce the habit. Gently distract him with toys, songs, or activities whenever he starts putting fingers in his mouth. If vomiting becomes frequent, affects feeding, or weight gain slows, then a pediatrician should review him
Health Tips
Keep his nails trimmed and hands clean to avoid throat irritation or infection. Avoid scolding or showing fear, as this can make the behavior more frequent. Most children outgrow this habit on their own with time and calm handling.
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Council him.
Can take help of counsler.
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this could be normal at this age
try to distract him with toys or other activities
repeatedly reinforcement and distracting him would help
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Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
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This is a common habit at this age. The child puts hand into the mouth and triggers the gag reflex, so vomiting happens. It is not a stomach problem.
Next Steps
Gently distract the child with toys or something else.. No medicine is needed now. This habit will improve as the child grows.
Health Tips
Avoid overfeeding and keep the child upright after feeds.
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Reassurance.
Most children outgrow this habit within a few months once it stops giving a “reward” (attention or novelty). Consistent calm redirection is usually all that’s needed.consult if frequent vomiting occure.
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Hi mam
This is normal behaviour in babies at this point
Nothing to worry about
Make sure that baby doesn’t have upper respiratory infections like coughs and cold
Dont forcefeed the baby
Change color and consistency of good
Distract him while giving food
Give colorful food to the baby so that it wll attract and eat
Next Steps
Reassurance and change food habits
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Dr. Shahbaz Khan
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Delhi
There are some edible nail paints which have a bitter taste that can be used for your kid that will help him avoid it
Get a consultation before taking any advice
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few details consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Gastritis
Avoid spicy foods
Avoid coffee and tea in empty stomach
Use more of curd and butter milk
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Dr. Gaurij Hood
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Valsad
Pls connect for further discussion and solution
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Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Consult to pediatric
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Sumit Verma
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
It is generally NOT recommended and can be dangerous.
Do NOT induce vomiting if:
• Someone has swallowed poison, acid, alkali, petrol, kerosene, phenyl, bleach
•The person is unconscious, drowsy, having seizures
•There is blood, severe chest pain, or breathing difficulty
•After food poisoning (it does not help)
For weight loss or digestion (very harmful)
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