my nephew ever since he had been 6 months old eats everything he sees. Toys, paper and even sucks on he toes and bites he nails. I have 3 children of my own none of which did anything liek this. I was wondering is this normal? His mother says it is normal all kids do that to explore. I have never heard of such a thing. Can anyone help me here?
2006-09-11 16:00:22 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
There is a type of eating disorder (not like the media covered ones) called Pica which most kids show mild symptoms of at one point or another. A person with pica eats non-nutritious things. Cigarette butts off the ground, shoelaces, napkins, chews on their t-shirts, cotton balls etc.
It's normal in kids in a mild form, but in an intense form should be checked out. Long-lasting pica is a symptom of (forgive me here I forget the exact name of the disorder, but it's a type of mental delay).
The other thing I know of is something called Prader Willis syndrome. This is more common in boys and comes with some visual birth defects (small ears and genitalia) - around the age of 2 these children develop a voracious appetite that cannot be sated. They will literally eat until stopped. They have absolutely no sensation of fullness, no matter how much they eat. People with PWS usually must be placed in care, as they have to be watched 24/7 and kept away from food except regular meals. They can actually eat themselves to death.
Aside from that, he could be teething, growing, or just like food.
2006-09-11 16:11:32 · answer #1 · answered by lucy_shy8000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kids to explore... My kids ate bugs!! DEAD ONES OFF THE FLOOR if I didn't watch them close enough. My 3 year old still sucks on his own toes... my daughter wouldn't stop sucking on her shoes until she was 3 1/2 and my oldest tried eating a worm at 2 years old. 99% of all kids put everything they can wrap thier hands around, in thier mouths. Believe me, this is normal.
2006-09-12 17:05:09 · answer #2 · answered by pc_girl_2005 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is totally normal. It's the reason toys for children under 3 are made with no small parts. I have three children, 2 of them put everything they saw in their mouth and the third didn't. I guess it's just how curious they are.
2006-09-11 16:08:12 · answer #3 · answered by ??? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal at this age for him to do this, but just keep an eye for him continuing to do this as he gets older.There is a condition called pica.Look it up on internet.I hope this helps , your a good aunt.
2006-09-11 16:08:22 · answer #4 · answered by daddysgirl92280 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very normal.. but what a pain in the butt. My son used to chew the heads of his action figures....LOL. To this day he is chewing on something. His choice now are straws and ice.
2006-09-11 16:33:14 · answer #5 · answered by pink9364 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal for him to put everything he sees into his mouth, however, if he is actually swallowing them, that is a problem
2006-09-11 17:46:59 · answer #6 · answered by rccola1979 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Completely normal. My daughter is almosr 1, she eats everything. If she can pick it up she thinks she can eat it.
2006-09-11 16:17:11 · answer #7 · answered by Amanda B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a pahse of developing. My niece can't keep her hands (or mouth!) out of ANYTHING. Just be sure nothing is swallowed!
2006-09-11 16:06:15 · answer #8 · answered by reading_rox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes - a good rule for what he can play with - if it will fit into a toilet paper roll hole it can be choked on--- no toys or other things this small
2006-09-11 16:12:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal.What goes in a babies hand always goes in its mouth also.They grow out of it.I have 2 boys(5yr&14mth) I have never seen babies who did'nt do this.
2006-09-11 16:04:44 · answer #10 · answered by hotmama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋