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Behaviour/development

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20 month old makes herself sick

5 replies

Jitterbug101 · 08/11/2011 09:07

I don't know what to do about my 20 month old daughter. She has these tantrums where she screams & cries which is normal I think, although my older daughter never behaved like this. The past few weeks she has seemingly had bad separation anxiety, crying whenever I leave the bedroom. Then a few nights ago she was sick. I picked her up, cuddled her & cleaned her up. She got over that illness but every night since then has been screaming at bedtime. At first i would stay with her waiting for her to sleep but after a few days I sent my husband in instead and just like that she turned over & promptly fell asleep.
But the real reason i have come here for advice is that last night she actually stuck her hand down her throat so that she made herself sick. I was absolutely shocked that she would do such a thing. My husband and I went in to clean her up & this time told her off but when we said goodnight to her again she tried to do it again. I have never done controlled crying or any kind enforced routine with her because she has always been very happy to fall asleep by herself. I am worried she would go to these lenghths just to keep me in the room with her. Is there something else going on here? Does anyone else have experience of this?!

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DrSeuss · 08/11/2011 10:10

Have you tried just not fussing over her when she makes herself sick, not cuddling, not talking to her but just cleaning her up and sticking her back in bed? I may be a heartless bitch but I think she's playing you. You'd be amazed what they can do even when they're so small!

latrucha · 08/11/2011 10:52

My DD can make herself sick and did so deliberately a few time aroud that age. First time I told her off, then I did what dr Sueuss said. She has done it occaisionally since to see what will happen, but she knows it is not good thing.

It's not so great when she actullay is ill and I think at first she's trying it on Sad

It's not uncommon I think. There was a woman on here once for whom it got so bad she just had to leave the child to it in the end as nothing was working.

DrSeuss · 08/11/2011 11:13

A friend's daughter and later the daughter's own child used to hold their breath till they passed out. I suppose at least it doesn't make a mess!

Jitterbug101 · 12/11/2011 03:01

OMG I suppose I should be grateful she's not learned to do that! Thanks for all your replies. Very relieved to hear that others have had similar experiences.

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