Can a 4 and 1/2 month old cough for attention?

My son was 4 months or so when he started caughing for attention. I wouldn't just leave him be and he would HAVE to caugh for attention.. I would be cleaning or something while he was playing and then he might get whimpery and start caughing and I would go get him and say "why you fake coughin!? You want mommy's attention? You got it!" He still does that sometimes, he's just about 6 months.