my son started it when he was 6 months old.  He had a little cough and when he realized that we all freaked out over him, he started to do it more.  It was hilarious. 

Now the fake choking?  Not as funny.  LOL

hi so many people think that babies dont know anything they know more than we think I haave 6 kids and all of them as babies use to pretend choke or chough just to get another cuddle they are scammers and will try it the more you give in to there game I dont know how many kids you have but I garntee that you will work out what noises are real and which ones are fake he just knows mummy loves him enough to run to him But arent they just the best thing in Life and hay I still say that after 6 kids lol

Believe it or not, my daughter started doing that when she was 2 months and a bit. It was when I was starting her on the formula and she pretended to start coughing and I said "now, you still have to take this because Mommy needs to go back to work" and she smiled. She still does that now that she is 7 months.

I think that it is a just a sound check that Mummy is paying attention.

my kids did this as babies--mostly as a game to play with me more than any deliberate deception.  i think when they are older it gets harder to tell the difference--and it's definitely worth it to teach them as soon as possible that they can say their feelings straight without having to pretend, play or work around the need for attention--whether they are sick or not.

Hi there,

My little angel started to fake cough at 12months . . . She would cough and then look to see if you were looking at her. If not she would cough louder and louder until she got a response . .  Little monster . .

Cheers Kellz

hello. my daughter is 2 and she does the whole fake crying and coffing trick to,shes been doing it for a while now. i tell her of stop faking,she just laffs, she started doing it when i had her little brother,he is 7 months now so,im thinking for her its more of a ttention thing,she trys to act like a baby because she thinks that is what mummy wants.

Mine used to do it around 6 months when they learnt to crawl, so whenever they couldnt reach something or wanted my attention they put on a fake cough or cry lol... Was so cute....

take care and enjoy his baby ways as they grow up so quick...

love cazza

My daughter who is going to be 1 in a week has for about a month now, been fake gag coughing to get my attention when she eats.  Children learn very quick what grabs mommy & daddy's attention.  Then they do it to the max.  Hope that helps :)