I have an 18 month old daughter and lately I've noticed that she eats alot of paper or paper like things. She hasn't done it for long it's been going on for about a week. No matter how much I tell her no she can't stop eating it. She'll find any kind of paper but she mainly chews on her books and eats the cardboard on the edges. What can I do to stop her from eating it and will it cause her any harm?
2006-10-30 07:49:25 · 16 answers · asked by I smile because of them ♥ 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
She already has all her teeth so it's not teething.
2006-10-30 07:53:24 · update #1
Sounds like it could be a condition called "Pica", where children eat odd things. Take her to a pediatrician for treatment. Could be due to some dietary deficiency, or possibly a symptom of another medical condition. Do seek the advice of a doctor ASAP
2006-10-30 07:59:55 · answer #1 · answered by Ray 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like two things 1. Teething thus putting everything in her mouth I hated molar teething with my daughter and 2. she is testing her limits with you (my daughter is 6 and this will be the 1st of many test) she is seeing where the limits are and the more you say no the more she will try.
Try frozen fruit for the teething and dont stop or change the way you tell her she cant do it cause then she will begin to learn that mommy is the boss and is only doing what is best for her
2006-10-30 16:01:43 · answer #2 · answered by ♥Ta Loca♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try giving her something that is ok for her to chew on like food or a teething ring or any kind of toy that she may be fond of. Children often bite other children just to see a reaction or to feel the sensation of the bite action on their teeth. It is normal for children her age. I work with toddlers and preschoolers and when a child is biting we write down what time it is what they bit and some other things that are going on in the environment to try to find a pattern, sometimes a child will bite because they are hungry or because they are mad you dont know until you develop the pattern. If she is doing it at a certain time every day try feeding her a snack to curve her hunger until meal time.
2006-10-31 00:08:09 · answer #3 · answered by rozepetal23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I always did at that age with my daughter was to tell her no as I walked over to her and then as I took it away I said 'thank you' in a cheery voice. Pretty soon she would bring me anything paper or that she shouldn't chew on to get the cheery thank you. I had her helping me pick up her toys soon after that even. It's also a good idea to have something she CAN chew on hand to exchange with her, especially if she is teething.
2006-10-30 17:23:35 · answer #4 · answered by A W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was small, I did that too. I remember getting a spanking for eating one of my sisters old maid cards. I don't know exactly why I did it. I ate straw wrappers and countless other paper things. Nothing else weird though. I remember not feeling full. I actually craved paper and I ate it until I was 3 or 4. I'm healthy 27 yr old woman so I don't think it's going to affect her health.
2006-10-30 16:08:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did the same thing at her age and I haven't suffered from it. Be firm with her that it is a no no and if possible take it away. Try replacing the paper with something she can chew when you take it away. She'll grow out of it eventually (possibly sooner than you think), just make sure that she doesn't think that what she's doing is okay behavior. .
2006-10-30 15:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by perfectlypreppy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd keep all paper away from her- even the books. I guess my son listens well- when i tell him no, he stops. He even brought a small piece of paper to me today (really tiny), because he knew he shouldn't have had it- it amazes me- he's only 13 months! What we try to do- keep everything out of our living room that we don't want him to have. Since he could crawl, our dvds are out so he can get to him- well, since he could crawl, we'd skoot him away from them and say, "No." Now, he honestly won't even go near them! If he does every once in a while, I just say no, and take him away from them. Anyways, his toys are in the living room area, and it's all blocked off from the rest of the house- this way he has his area where it is all baby-proofed. Goodluck!
2006-10-30 15:58:17 · answer #7 · answered by m930 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but if it persists you might want to look into a condition called 'pika'. I don't know much about it but I do know there's a component that involves compulsive eating of inedible objects.
Or it could just be a phase. When I was a very little kid I ate styrofoam whenever I could get away with it. I liked the consistency of it.
2006-10-30 16:06:21 · answer #8 · answered by houlihanoriley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wont cause her harm as long as she doesnt choke. I agree can she be teething getting ready for her (2yr) molars? Try a frozen teething ring or some kind of toy she can chew on.
2006-10-30 15:53:59 · answer #9 · answered by Alexis221 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be very careful here as the ink in some books, esp. those not printed in the US, can contain ink and bleach that your daughter should not ingest. I agree with the other comments and suggest that you go cold turkey on paper-based books for now. Good luck
2006-10-30 16:04:24 · answer #10 · answered by TwinsDad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋