We were on a road trip and he just finished eating lots of nutritious snacks, so there was no way that he would be hungry. I had just bought him this big, shiny colorful book filled with all his favorite disney characters. At some point I hear him say to his sister, "I have gum". I turn around and he had bit off th corner binding of the book.. a nice big chunk. Then I remembered a few days prior he was chewing on a piece of velcro that he pulled off of something. This morning I noticed another piece of the book was chewed off.
I looked up PICA on the internet and it doesn't appear to be consistent with that. Has anyone had this experience with their children? If so, please help. I'll take any information I can get. Why would he be doing this?
2007-10-01 03:19:43 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
He's just being a 4-year-old kid. I was "the kid who eats weird stuff" when I was young. I ate everything from crayons to pencil erasers to glue, just to see how it tasted. Obviously I have outgrown it (with the exception of a pesky nail-biting problem), and your son will too. Next time you catch him chewing on something like a book, say, "Take that out of your mouth. Books are not food." That's all my mom used to say to me, and it would remind me to not do that. Kids are notorious for putting weird things in their mouth. I went to school with a kid who ate clay in art class, as well as a kid who used to enjoy sucking on pebbles on the playground. Don't worry about it!
2007-10-01 03:30:37 · answer #1 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Do not punish her for not eating. Has she always been a picky eater? Children have little tummies, and thus need less food to keep themselves full. If this is a new development, her stomach may be bothering her. If it continues, take her to the doctor, and let the doctor decide if there is something medically wrong. I have encountered countless children who eat very little. It could be she doesn't like what you're offering her. Can she tell you what she would like to eat? Maybe offering her choices or giving her the power to choose will help her eat. If she is hungry, she will eat, but do not punish her for not eating! There could be a reason behind it, that isn't her fault! IF anything, her punishment is having a hungry tummy for the rest of the day, or until her next meal.
2016-05-18 00:13:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kids put lots of things in their mouths and they do like to explore different thing. When I was little I used to eat toilet paper. I would chew on it like gum. :-p Yucky I know. But I was a kid. I don't eat toilet paper anymore. I think I would have some serious issues if I did! :-) I wouldn't worry to much about it. Just tell him no and that he can't eat books. If its his favorite book and he chews it, then you won't buy him a new one. Good luck!
2007-10-01 03:29:12 · answer #3 · answered by blueroan2000 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it. Let him be. I'd do my best to relax...and maybe suggest to him to not swallow it?
Kids are curious sometimes. He'll be fine. Don't overreact to this.
A panicked, stressed-out Mother is far worse than chewing on some cardboard. Wouldn't you agree?
With that said, try your best to let him just be, while still being the loving Mother that you are.
2007-10-01 04:22:39 · answer #4 · answered by PG 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My brother in law is a chewer of odd things. He chews the cuffs of his t shirts, he often eats paper and sometimes plastic (like the corners of his tobacco pouches) I have no idea why he does this but one of his children ate her foam flip flop this summer. Some kids like to try new flavours!!
2007-10-01 03:25:46 · answer #5 · answered by jo h 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
At four he is exploring his world. If it is doing no harm, ignore it. If it worries you tell him not to do it. I recall my daughter eating mud pies at that age. She grew up perfectly normal - well almost - she's now a teacher!
2007-10-01 03:26:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take all the books away from him aint dat smart
2007-10-01 03:27:23 · answer #7 · answered by quilla 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
he's gettin brain food at a early age
2007-10-01 03:26:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can try teaching him eating books is wrong...
2007-10-01 03:22:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
nexttime he does it tell him NO!
2007-10-01 03:24:05 · answer #10 · answered by Changed4the Better :-i 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋