How do I get an 18 month old to stop eating everything she can find off the floor?

Question

I watch this little girl who was very premature when she was born and now at 18 months she is more like a 10 month old. She puts everything into her mouth. Her favorite thing to eat is paper. She bite the furniture, licks the walls, and eats out of the trash. I don't know what to do. I never had this problem with my kids, yeah they would put things into their mouths when they were babies but not to this extreme. I have brought this up with her parents and they told me they don't disipline her or tell her no for anything. So, I took it as they expected me not to do anything. But, I am afraid that she is going to choke on my children's coloring books when she is trying to eat the paper. She refuses to eat actual food but she will eat forgien objects. Any suggestions? I am only one person and unless I keep her in a small space I can't keep her from doing this. I have to take into account that she isn't my child, Any one else have a problem like this, Ideas? help!

I vaccum and child proof my home as much as possible, But I have a 2 year old and 4 year old of my own and they can be messy. I clean up after them as quick as I can because I know this little girl will eat whatever they drop. But I don't know if I should just constantly chase after her to keep her from chewing and eating everything she finds or if it's okay for me to start telling her no.

Answer 1

This is very typical behaviour for a young child.
It is your job to childproof and keep everything out of her way. You should also redirect her when she starts eating things like paper.
There is really nothing the parents can do, its your job to handle it while she is in your care.

Answer 2

When I babysit for others the first thing I ask them is if they are allergic to anything. Then I very gently let them know that any child that is put into my care, my rules go. There is nothing wrong with telling a child no. If you do not do this and let the child know you mean business, then they will more than likely swallow something that just might hurt them. If these people trust you enough to take care of their child then they must trust you enough not to hurt the child. If there is an issue of trust on their side, then I would advise you stop keeping this child. If you do not strike or yell at the child, but try to tell her no, there is nothing wrong with that. After a little while, if this does not work, I would probably stop keeping her because if she does swallow something that hurts her you may be in a lot of trouble. The only other solution, I am afraid, is to keep her away from your children at least when they are playing with their toys. You could child proof your living room and only let your children play in their bedroom with their toys. If she bites a whole in the couch, let the parents know how much it will costs them to repair it. Make sure there are no wastebaskets in the room and as for the licking, well, at least your walls will be a little cleaner. Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi there, I sympathise with you, we had a identical drawback with our 3rd Shepherd, she wholly destroyed a three piece suite and the mattress within the guest room (I forgot to shut the door!), and the kitchen lino. We simply cured her by way of absolutely ignoring any mess when we obtained dwelling just as if it failed to occur, we might step over it make a cup of tea and so on and when all was once completely calm we would resolve this went on for approximately eight months, she was around a year ancient when it began, she stopped rather suddenly, we did make certain that each one that would be shut in a further room was once shut in an additional room, make distinct that earlier than you go out you are taking him for a run and do some obedience with him it's going to supply him whatever to believe about and can help to put on him out, is he food oriented? Get him one of those Kong toys which you could stuff with all manner of chocolates and go away him with that, you need to also are trying the normal, the place you go away the room for a minute go back in and if he has been good praise him (don't get him too excited although) and step by step extend the time. I do know a variety of people on here don't like Cesar Millan but he helped a couple with precisely the predicament you might be having, it perhaps valued at looking for the episode on the dog Whisperer internet site. Excellent luck.

Answer 4

hey, I sympathise with you, we had an analogous problem with our third Shepherd, she thoroughly destroyed a three piece suite and the mattress in the visitor room (I forgot to close the door!), and the kitchen lino. we actual cured her by potential of thoroughly ignoring any mess as quickly as we've been given homestead merely as though it did not take place, we'd step over it make a cup of tea etc and while all replaced into thoroughly calm we'd sparkling up this went on for roughly 8 months, she replaced into around a 12 months previous while it began, she stopped somewhat by surprise, we did ensure that one and all which must be close in yet another room replaced into close in yet another room, ensure that until eventually now you flow out you're taking him for a run and do some obedience with him this is going to supply him something to think of approximately and could help to placed on him out, is he nutrients orientated? get him a sort of Kong toys which you would be able to stuff with all way of chocolates and flow away him with that, you need to additionally try the prevalent, the place you flow away the room for a minute flow back in and if he has been solid compliment him (are not getting him too excited although) and gradually boost the time. i comprehend a great style of human beings on right here do unlike Cesar Millan yet he helped a pair with precisely the concern you're having, it must be nicely worth attempting to locate the episode on the dogs Whisperer website. solid luck.

Answer 5

My son is very oral while teething (now he's 2) and always put everything in his mouth. It was hard to make him stop, but of course, I told him no and explained what was okay to eat and what was not. I can't imagine that these girls parents want her eating anything. My son was able to learn what was okay to put in his mouth, but is now biting the furniture again a lot, since he's getting his 2 year molars.

Answer 6

I doubt there are any physical health issues with this, but her parents are making a big mistake by not setting some limits on what she can do. The kid is a monster in the making and they will be guilty of negligence if they don't learn some basic parenting skills.

BTW when if she's in your care, you can say no and help this kid start developing some self-control since her parents are apparently clueless. she's too young to rat you out with the parents, so don't sweat it.

Answer 7

You can't (at least- not without going Crazy- anyway!). It's something you're just going to have to wait for her to Grow Out Of... In the MEANTIME; Childproof a Space as BIG as you can manage, & give her some non-toxic toys to play with. -And Happy Adventures In Babysitting! :)

Answer 8

I have 2 suggestions first off find something hot like spicy hot and put it in her reach and act like she cant have it trust me she will want it its only natural for her to and 2 everytime she puts something bad in her mouth say yucky or make a yuck sound and let her see its not right at least that way you arent telling her no but really the parents do need to teach her boundries so maybe ask them what they would do at home.

Answer 9

While I do see your point I have to say that you can't stick your nose into someone else's business, unless you think child abuse is happening. If this is the case call the authorities. Otherwise you have to accept that everyone parents differently

Answer 10

Keep the floor clean, the trash can out of reach, and keep a close watch over her.