Baby trying to get attention????

[stanleybump]

Hi all again,
my little boy turned 1 last month and for a few weeks has been putting his hand down his throat to make himself sick.
It could happen when we're out or just after his dinner, i would say its an attention thing but he's not short on it.
I've tried everything to stop it such as ignoring him, telling him off, holding his hand when he does it but he gets so frustrated by it he screams himself sick anyway.
My health visitor was no help at all and said "Oh I never heard of that before!" and that was that.
Any ideas or recommendations for baby therapists (not joking on the last one it's really bad)
Thanks

[Psychick]

Could it be due to teething? At this age, he will still be teething and getting his back teeth. Did he chew on his fists when he started teething? This could be what hes doing again but as its teeth further back, hes having to put his hand further in his mouth and, unfortunately, making himself sick.

Did your health visitor not offer any idea at all? Ask if you can speak to another one for more help if you can.

[stanleybump]

His back teeth are coming through I never thought about that!
The health visitor is not the best but the only one in my clinic.
apart from the obvious teething solutions such as powders and gel, can you recommend anything else to get him out of this habit?

[Psychick]

Other than binding his hands up? lol

Im just taking a guess with the teething and havent had to deal with this situation myself as my eldest luckily didnt really suffer with teething. I seem to be going through it already though with my 3 month old! I would imagine the best thing you can is to neither ignore him or tell him off but to try and distract him when he goes to do it. If he seems to be doing it at certain times or after doing certain things, start distracting him before he goes to put his hand in his mouth.

[waynesgirl]

i found this website where A few people have said the same thing. Sounds like it could just be a phase.

http://www.rollercoaster.ie/boards/mc.asp?ID=7 9793&G=44&forumdb=2

[Ice.Maiden]

Just a thought here, but have you taken him to the doctor about this? Perhaps the poor little chap's frightened of swallowing for some reason - such as if some food (such as a sharp piece of biscuit, crisp, etc.) scratched his throat on the way down. If so, or he has a medical problem which might make swallowing painful, then no wonder he cries or tries to force the food back out. I don't think telling him off is a good thing to do - even if the problem's "only" his teething. It can be a very painful process for some little ones, and he needs gentle words, not harsh ones. Best of luck anyway.

[stanleybump]

thanks for all your help
had him checked out by the doctor and he said its a phase and just to ignore him.
which is very hard when hes throwing up everywhere!!!
jst have to start carrying extra clothes for him again!