Can toddlers pretend to be hurt?

[Rose1988xxxx]

I am a major worrier and panic at the slightest things

2 and half year old complained of a headache a few weeks ago and it's sent me into over drive

She had constipation so often gets tummy ache (I can always tell she's actually uncomfortable or in a little pain)

The other night when I put her to bed, she told me her head was sore, then her belly was sore, then her arm was sore. She didn't seem in pain and she eventually went to sleep (this triggered me though)

Today I've gone to put her for her nap. She got up numerous times, she then said her head was sore, along with her tummy and knee. She then proceeded to run out of her room to escape going to bed. She eventually went to sleep

Could she really be saying there things because she knows it will get my attention?

I'm so anxious and paranoid when it comes to things like this

I can imagine it being for attention and avoiding bedtime.

My three year old is often in the midst of a crippling stomach episode when it’s time to turn off whatever he’s watching or put his toys away and go to bed. . He’s very good, really hams it up. He learnt what to do when he had a genuine gripe once after eating a whole punnet of whopper blackberries and it was enough to make me call 111 thinking he had appendicitis. He remembers the drama and definitely tries to repeat it on occasion.

Mine is struck down with a painful arm everytime she hears the word no.

The cat up the street faked a paw injury to get attention so I imagine a human toddler can too.

Of course they can!
If she was quiet and not herself, then I'd keep an eye and go to the GP if really concerned.
If she's still doing everything as normal and these mysterious ailments occur when it's bedtime or when ever she isn't getting your attention... she's hamming it up😆
My three year old Grandson frequently tells me he feels unwell 'I need Calpol Granny!'... because he likes the taste!

@Sonolanona thank you for your reply

Toddlers can also cry as if their heart is breaking when told no, well crying sounds and grizzling but dry eyes.

Most definitely. My nearly 3 year old (end of Jan) is stuck with pain in her pains/legs/head every time I tell her no...followed by 'you pushed me' even if I'm in a completely different room! She also cries like she is dying if you turn the TV off after her time is up!

Yes. My df tripped while carrying dbro aged 3. DM took dro to the doctor's a couple of days later because he was refusing to walk.
Dr looked carefully and proclaimed his diagnosis "you have a little hypochondriac here".
He continued this trait trough childhood. I remember well the day he fell off a bench fooling around and declared he was going to need a wheelchair to get to school...

If the parents give more attention that way yes of course they can.

Indeed and if you once responded 'appropriately' to their aches and pains, they will certainly use that against you at another moment.
What you do need to look out for is changes in their behaviour: suddenly quiet, more crying than usual, pale, not engaging, slow etc. this can all point at something that is serious. And because they lack the vocabulary, they will say their tummy hurts while instead they have trouble breathing for instance.

Any chance she is dehydrated?
Mine were huge water drinkers but when it got cold they would ease up and get a little dehydrated.

@Marblesbackagain thank for you for your reply, she's pretty good as drinking so not sure it's that!

Mine would fake anything for a plaster usually just a scratch and a fake cough because they liked the taste of calpol
Yes sh could be faking for attention or a day off nursery but goes without saying if any symptoms develop then get checked out

I came on to say dogs can do it so why not toddlers. They will do what has worked in the past.