How Can I Deal With A Habit Of Spitting Unnecessarily?

Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 26 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : my 2.5 year old daughter has had a habit of spitting unnecessarily since past 4 months. we had advised her that its a bad habit. we scolded her and reprimanded her many times. in between for some time like a month, she had stopped it. but she restarted it.now its like a habit that can't be controlled. she spits on the table and plays with it. she applies the spit on our face. many number of times I have tried explaining its a dirty habit but to no use. in less than a minute she repeats. in half an hour she does it say 10 times and throughout the day a 100 times. I tired of advising her. I have even told punished her but she continues to repeat.

how can I deal with this habit? now I don't advise her , scold her or punish her. I just call her name and stare at her. but no use, in 10 seconds she will spit again

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
positive and negative re inforcement

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to health care magic.
I can understand that you have already tried explaining to her and it is of no use.
I would suggest
A) Negative reinforcement : shut yoursulf in bathroom and tell her you won't talk to her if she spits. Keep her favorite foods and toys away if she spits even once and give her only as long as she is not spitting.
B) positive reinforcement : Praise her for not spitting even it is for few hours . Reward with toys or food for good behaviour.
Hope this helps .
Try this repeatedly.
It will work.
Regards
Dr Arun

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad