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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Overcome The Habit Of Chewing Toilet Paper In A Child?

My daughter is 2 and she likes to chew on toilet papers... She dosent swallow but chee on them like it so good... I'm starting to get concerned because she wants it more now... I don't even think she likes candy as much as toilet papers .. please let me know how to seek for help
Fri, 10 Jan 2014
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Pediatrician 's  Response
Hi

Either its a habit that she has developed over a period of time or its a part of pica in which kids eat non palatable stuff like mud/ lime/ paper etc.

Pica is usually seen in Anemic kids. You can have your kid checked for Anemia and if seen, you can have it treated.

If its just a habit that she has developed, its high time that you start discouraging her.
You may tell her stories involving her favorite cartoon character, who kept eating toilet paper and then developed bad tummy ache, vomiting etc, was taken to a doctor and given injections etc.
You may also give her some small gifts like small toys, crayons etc on the day when she does not eat them.
As a last resort you can apply some bitter safe substances (like bitter gourd juice) on the paper she chews so that she gets aversion to it.

Hope this answers your query.
Best wishes.
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How To Overcome The Habit Of Chewing Toilet Paper In A Child?

Hi Either its a habit that she has developed over a period of time or its a part of pica in which kids eat non palatable stuff like mud/ lime/ paper etc. Pica is usually seen in Anemic kids. You can have your kid checked for Anemia and if seen, you can have it treated. If its just a habit that she has developed, its high time that you start discouraging her. You may tell her stories involving her favorite cartoon character, who kept eating toilet paper and then developed bad tummy ache, vomiting etc, was taken to a doctor and given injections etc. You may also give her some small gifts like small toys, crayons etc on the day when she does not eat them. As a last resort you can apply some bitter safe substances (like bitter gourd juice) on the paper she chews so that she gets aversion to it. Hope this answers your query. Best wishes.