1yr old making herself sick

[ames]

DD (very nearly 1) was violently sick whilst out in her pushchair last week. She has barely eaten since then, when we took her the doctor he said it was just a virus and would clear up. Since then though she has started to stick her fingers down her throat making herself gag and today managed to make herself sick. She thinks it is very funny if I tell her no, and it turns into a game when I try to take her fingers out of her mouth. I'm also getting worried about her eating, she will only eat a couple of spoonfulls and then either sticks her fingers in and pulls the food out or spits the food out. Any suggestions on the best way of trying to stop her making herself sick and foods to tempt her with, even her favourites like yoghurt and rice puding are getting refused and shes not drinking her milk either.

Hi ames, my dd (nearly one) does this as well, though it wasn't preceded by any illness. She loves to stick her fingers in her mouth, and often makes herself gag, sometimes sick. I wondered if it could be related to teething, as she's chewing anything she can get into her mouth at the moment. I find that mealtimes are a struggle, but easier if we give her something to do (her favouite is posting wine corks down the centre of a loo roll!). I've also found that feeding her in the bath surrounded by lots of toys helpful. I'm hoping it's just a phase- maybe someone else can enlighten us!

Ames and Tissy- ds1 used to make himself sick (6mo-18mo) but not at meal times, he did it after lights out to get me back again, not all the time I hasten to add, but as a major seek of attention. He was, and still is, a poor feeder. And if I give him something to eat that he doesnt approve of he gags and spits and almost throws up his reaction of disgust is so great. When he shows signs of not wanting any more food at mealtimes I just take it away and let him get down. Even if it was a really poor amount I wont give in with snacks until the next meal. He can often take 10days-2weeks to get his appetite back after illness but then quickly puts back on the lost weight. (1kg loss with pneumonia last month, replaced in 10days post illness). I found Minadex with iron useful in improving his appetite post illness too (Sainsburys).
Hope this reassures a little and offers a few ideas. Hope things get better soon.

My oldest son used to make himself sick when he was this age, and older.
In his case, like honeybunny's ds1, it was when he was put down in his cot. Sometimes he used to get very upset if he knew it was bedtime, would deliberately start to hiccup in a certain way and this would cause him to spew up. I never saw him with his fingers in his mouth, but the effect was still the same.

I can't offer a solution, but can say he grew out of it, and was never underweight, despite 'losing' his supper quite often for a while. The sickness tailed off and by the time he was four it was no more. Sorry, that sounds a long time when you have a 1 year old, doesn't it!

I mentioned this vomiting problem to the doctor several times so he could keep track of it, in case something more serious was afoot. I also tried to give ds little attention when he was sick, apart from a quick cuddle when I had cleared away the mess. I wanted him to realise that being sick did get him what he wanted. However in your case, I would think it's no good forcing your dd to continue to eat her food after she has been sick. So I agree that your best bet is making no fuss, and waiting for the next meal. Also watch her milk intake at mealtimes - my ds was more likely to be sick if he had milk and solids together.

However, if you get really worried that she is eating so little, how about keeping your dd topped up with small healthy snacks and actually doing away with proper mealtimes for a week or so? and trying different foods - dry food is easier to digest - when my ds would eat nothing else, plain ice cream wafers went down well (not vey nutritiuos but at least it got him back into the habit of eating food). You could still give no attention if she makes herself sick, but at least you would have tried a different method of feeding her.

Hope this is a short passing phase.

Just a quick thanks for the replies and an update. DD hasnt made herself sick today but still refusing to eat anything - about 6 spoon of breakfast, 2 at dinner and teatime and 5oz of milk before bed. Am still quite bothered about it all as she only weighs 18lb dripping wet at the best of times. I dont suppose theres much point in taking her to the doctors and it is just a phase that will pass.