What is going on when a baby eats paper? What should I do if my baby eats paper?

Babies are curious about everything, and sometimes they always do some surprising things. For example, eating tissue paper may seem very strange, but it may actually be a necessity for the baby's growth! What is going on with babies eating tissue paper? What should I do if my baby eats tissue paper?

Why does the baby eat paper?

Baby teething

When babies are in the stage of deciduous teeth eruption, their gums itch and swell. To relieve these uncomfortable feelings, babies often look for things to chew and bite. So some newspapers and books become items for babies to release physiological pressure. They often tear these papers into pieces and put them in their mouths to chew. Countermeasures: Parents can prepare some teething biscuits, teethers, fruit bars, etc. for babies to grind their teeth and relieve discomfort.

The baby is in the oral stage

Babies under 1 year old are in the oral stage and often like to taste various objects around them with their mouths. Licking with the tongue or biting with the teeth is a normal way for babies to explore the world around them. Babies use paper as toys, and eating paper is a way to explore and understand themselves and the world outside themselves. Countermeasures: Put away newspapers and other things at any time, stop babies from eating the dirty things they pick up, and tell them "no", "dirty". Make a frown and painful expression on your face. Gradually, the baby will understand that these things cannot be eaten. Eating them will make you sick.

Zinc deficiency in babies

If the baby's body lacks certain trace elements, such as zinc, it is easy to cause pica, which means eating things that should not be eaten, such as paper. Countermeasures: It is recommended to take the baby to the hospital for a professional trace element test to determine whether it is zinc deficient. If zinc is deficient, zinc preparations can be appropriately supplemented under the guidance of a doctor.