My 14 month old son eats his own poop, its driving me crazy?

Question

I put him to bed fully dressed in pj's when I check in on him during the night hes still dressed by morning hes buck naked. Diaper and all and he plays with his poo, its all over the crib, his hands, his hairs and smudged around his mouth, when I check his teeth - poo. Not only is it disgusting but its also annoying having to change his sheets damn near everyday. Is this an actual "problem" or does he not know any better?
Only serious answers please all b/s will be reported.

and FYI beating a 14 month old is just rediculous, if you cant offer constructive advise move on to the next question

Thank you KBuchanan, when I was pregnant I often craved nail polish turned out I had a severe iron deficiency. I will definatly take him to the Pediatrician - I never thought of that

Why is this question generating so many rediculous comments HES A BABY hes not a damn 10 or 16 year old eating poo, I appreciate the genuine answers.

Answer 1

when my daughter did that at 11 months old thats when i started buying pampers first steps pull on diapers so my daughter couldnt open the diaper up and play in her poop in her crib.by time she learned to pull her pull on diapers appart or off she was over the poop playing/eating stage.(it took her about a month to figuar it out) i also put on the pj's with the feet in them cause she didnt know how to unzip them just incase she would try to go for the daiper.you also have to tell him thats a no no and that if he is caught eating his poop again he will get into trouble.(with my daughter i threaten to pop her hand if i catch her playing with poop.and she never did it again after i put her on those pull on diapers and feet pjs with zippers on it).your son is old enough to understand you telling him its a no no and does it again he gets in trouble...what ever you do for punishment is your choice but remember 14 month olds dont understand what time out is for or why you are taking away a toy.but you can try that anyways since you dont believe in spanking the diaper butt or popping the hand..yes all babies or toddlers has done that at leat once.but if it still contunes after you try other options then ask his dr on what to do.

Answer 2

I am truly sorry for the stupid answers that you have recieved. This must be so frustrating for you. First of all, he doesn't know any better, and I am sure this doesn't taste good to him at all. It doesn't sound like he is making this huge mess, just to eat it though. While part of the problem may be within his diet itself, or that his body isn't absorbing vitamins and minerals, I also see a serious behavioral issue. Your son is to young for potty training, but it this may be worth a try. When you have to poo, take him into the bathroom with you, and let him see that you don't play with your poo. Let him see it in the toilet, and let him watch you flush the poo away. Terms like yuck and caca are things that kids at that age do identifty with. So when you flush say yuck. And when you change a poopy diaper during the day, comment on it as yuck or caca. And make sure he sees you getting rid of the diaper. I wish you the best of luck with this.. I hope this helps, and ask your doc too

Answer 3

He doesn't know any better would be my guess. Your description is really gross, I am wondering if I should be answering this question. I am having a hard time thinking this is really happening. If it is, and you are an okay person....... I would tell you to keep a closer eye on your child and put him in your room at night, move his crib. No one could endure this without going crazy!! If you are being truthful, I hope that you get this resolved, as it sounds like you probably need some outside help from a friend, pastor, or counselor either for you or your child. I hope it gets better for both of you!

Answer 4

It is time to potty train the baby. Some babies start early than other babies to be train. I have raised lots of babies and this is somewhat common with some babies and when they start to tear their clothing and mess with there poo it is really a signal for potty training. Buy a potty chair and when the baby start his first movement it perhaps will eliminate this problem. Now put him on the potty several times a day even when he may not need too. He or she will not know the difference, but when his bowel or urine eliminates the baby will get used to it and your problem solved. If it is a girl let her see you use the tolieting and if it's a boy let him see dad or a male use the tolieting.

Answer 5

First I would put Overnights on him or anything that would be difficult for him to take or somehow fasten the overnights to a pullover T-Shirt or get him a one piece pajama suit perhaps even with the feet that fastens in the back anything that is Safe and difficult for him to take off for if it can't come off then also can't (esp if it fastens in the back-the one piece) put his hands into diaper and so on. Its not a actual problem but simply a child discovering something to play with and at his age everything goes into the mouth-its not unusual for children that young to whn they discover the poo to eat for since all goes into mouth do not yet have the knowledge not to. I would not make a great big deal or say he is bad but tell him we do not eat poo, makes you sick,makes you feel bad,no-Do not call him disgusting but eating poo is. Hopefully once you get a one piece and so on he will not be able to get to it-even if you have to have it made for him or you make-be worth it

Answer 6

Have his vitamin levels checked. I see it mostly with pregnant women; they crave something unnatural (like dish detergent)even though they know its harmful. It's just that the dish-soap has a mineral in it that they need. Seriously, have his vitamin/mineral count done. Poo is an excellent source of Iron , B6, and folic acid. Disgusting I know, but imagine if you were starving to death, what would you do? To him it's the same, his body may be starving for something and this is how it knows to get it.

Answer 7

He doesnt really understand what he's doing. If he does poo early in the morning you just have to get up change his nappy and put him back to bed.Or maybe he does poo in the middle of the night and my morning his nappy is annoying him so he takes it off and makes a mess.The only one that can stop it is you by changing his nappy ASAP.Good luck.

Answer 8

People are so stupid... until you can get him into see the doc buy a pair of "whitty tightyies" & put over his diaper & put him in 1 piece pjs. My sis had to do this w/ her son he just played w/ his poop though. Lots Of Luck

Answer 9

This phase will pass pretty quickly.Don't listen to the morons saying to beat him, I think you know better.It must be very difficult dealing with this,and I feel for you.
I hope my 5 month old skips that little habit.
One thing you might try: Use a safety pin to hold his nightgown closed.Make it impossible for him to get to his diaper,and maybe he'll quit trying pretty quick.

Answer 10

sounds like a sensory issue. My son who is autstic ( DOESNT MEAN YOUR KID IS ) is very sensitive to smell. he used to do the same thing until I but him in full footed pj's where he couldnt get to it, yeah the ac had to be on full blast in the summer to keep him cool. Its been about 6 months and ive been letting him wear 2 peice pj;s and hes doing better BUT that also is attributed to his occupational and sensory therapy

good luck!