Child Eats Kleenex ALL Day

Try a new doc. There is a disorder called pica that causes people to eat things that are not edible such a paper. I personally (who knows if I am right) wouldn't be able to stand seeing my daughter eat something like that so I would take away and hide ALL kleenex and only offer her hankies for a runny nose. If that is all she is actually eating then she should be losing lots of weight- something that will concern any good pediatrician.

Can you have the doctor test her for anemia? Anemia causes strange cravings such as eating ice, dirt, sand, and paper. It is worth a shot. If it is anemia, she will not stop until she gets enough iron in her blood. Good luck.

Eating non-food items is a sign of iron deficiency (Pica). If all she will eat is milk and kleenex I can understand why she would be deficient!

Yes, she should worry! She needs to find a way to get some nutrition in that child!

Without knowing her specifics it's difficult to give advice on why she doesn't eat but she is probably filling up on milk.

This is NOT okay and she needs to get her pediatrician to understand that she has NO real dietary intake or she needs to find another doctor...ASAP!

If she is under 3 and cannot get help she can call her local ECI. They have Nutritionists on contract that can help.

I cannot stress this enough...she MUST find a way to get some real nutrition in that child or find out why she can't. Either way, the kleenex eating is a HUGE red flag that her nutrition is lacking.

Hi A.: The way I see this, there are two major problems here:

1-Stop giving the girl Kleenex...now. Who's in charge here? The baby? Your friend need to stop this immediately...she's asking for trouble later on. Let her throw the fit, let her keep throwing the fit until she learns that Mom is in charge and that the child gets NOTHING when she thows a fit. The Mom needs to step up to the plate and be the Mom...she's setting terrible behavior patterns that will only make things worse for her daughter later in life. She's not doing her child any favors by letting her get away with this. When she's older, she'll pay the price for this type of behavior.

2-Get a new baby doctor...fast! The child needs a physical and bloodwork...she could be malnourished or anemic. I'd get that done asap.

Good Luck!

S.

Ditto the nutritional deficienices. Tell your friend to ask the doctor to measure her daughter's ferritin. I was anemic as a child and would eat paper.

This is not a discipline issue - it's a health issue, so based on the current doc's response, she likely needs a new doctor. And, they must measure ferritin - sometimes they'll just look at CBC - RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit and if those are okay, say there isn't a problem. But, other things impact those numbers (like B12 deficiencies) and those can be normal and the child can still be anemic. Also, milk can contribute to anemia. And, other food allergies can contribute to kids eating so few foods. So, I think there's more issues than just the kleenex here - a child that is only consuming those two "foods" needs some good medical/nutritional care (I'm guessing she's also B12 deficient given her diet).

Hi A., I don't have any reason as to "why" the child would be doing it, but I don't understand why it is allowed. I think it is okay for her to throw a tantrum when it is taken away. My children are not alway happy with what i say is allowed and not allowed, but that's my job. Honestly, I would not allow my child to eat kleenex. I'd make sure she didn't have access to any and I'd provide healthy food and not allow any junk until her diet improved. Sometimes our children have to be unhappy short-term to be happy and healthy long-term.

I would get a second opinion from another pediatrician. According to the pediatric oncall website this is not normal behavior and is known as Pica. Just doing a quick search this looked like a good website you might want to check out. If it is a behavior caused by an illness then no amount of punishment, etc. will change the behavior. I hope she is able to see another Doctor who takes her more seriously. Hopefully it is just a stage that will pass but better to be safe and find out for sure. http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/pica.html

Stop buying kleenex.

That does not sound right. she should get a second oppinion and take the box away, if she throws a fit, let her throw a fit, she should not be eating kleenex.

A. J

Sounds like a classic power struggle. If this little girl is not told "no" now, it will get way worse. Please urge your friend to instill some boundaries NOW. It will make her daughter feel more loved and secure to be told "no". (Sounds like she really needs to read up on this topic if this is happening at 2)

THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY!!

She shouldn't let her have access to a box but eating paper, Kleenex and toilet paper is not an issue if she is eating her food also.

Those products do not hurt her. Tell the mother to put the boxes up where she can't see them and if she ask for them then give her 1/8 of a sheet and tell her it will be a while before she can have more.

Distract her with something else, she will forget about it eventually.

R.

A.,

Have the Mom ask herself this question: What do I fear most, the temper tantrum of a child who should not be eating kleenex anyway or my beautiful child dying because I neglected her health, i.e. not wanting to face the tantrums, so I didn't seek a second opinion? (die or cry-not a hard one)

I agree with the other Mom's if you let a 2 year old rule the roost, it will be a 13 year old telling you what time she comes home and hanging out with the "spoil" of the crop. Get some help for you both and save your child's life, literally. And yes, stop giving her the tissue. Once the box is empty, why give her another one. Here's a quote from Blue's Clues...."think, think, think".

Let us know what the "new" doctor says and if the baby is getting help.

God bless and I'm praying for them.

Stand up and be a parent. Say NOOOOOOOOO. She won't die from a tantrum. Eventually she will stop with the tantrum.

I agree that this is a power struggle. Find her a new lovey....and take the kleenex away from her. This can't be good for her....bleach and all..... Your friend is going to need to get tough. Take the box away and put it where she cannot find it. Let her throw a tantrum. It may last for a couple of days and when your friend does not give in, then she will get over it.
You are a good friend!

MY MY, Your friends daughter is 2 & the fact that you stated she drags around with her all the time a box of Kleenex & when she tries to take it away??? How did she get it to begin with...and if your friend can't tell her 2 yr old "no" now, I can't imagine what she will be like when she turns 13!
Temper tantrums are going to happen this is the reason they are call "the terrible twos" I can't imagine a doctor telling her that eating kleenex is not a problem,...she is basically eating wood with chemicals. No more Kleenex, have your friend offer her daughter real food & before long her daughter will eat, try Mac & Cheese, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, dry cereal etc. Have your friend preoccupy her daughter with toys that keep her busy, building blocks, puzzles (Not thin wood ones), coloring (only if she does not eat the crayons), water activities with plactic cups & bowl & shifters (outside preferably). Good Luck to your friend & for you too to have an influence on her.

Hello A.,

I have not read the other responses so forgive me if I repeat something. Tell your friend that some children do this at that age. No, it's not healthy and I can understand why she is worried. I used to eat kleenax all the time at that age and my mom and others in my family would try to stop me, but I always found my way back to the kleenax box when no one was looking. Your friend should definitely take her child to a nutritionist if she has and/or can afford one. Also, make sure the child is getting her nutrients from other "real" foods at mealtimes. I don't recall ever going to the doctor for my kleenax-eating disorder, but then again, I grew up in the 70's, during a time when doctor visits were reserved more for emergency-related accidents or illnesses. The child WILL eventually grow out of her fixation with kleenax, probably when she starts pre-school or starts spending time around other children who do not eat kleenax.

sometimes when they eat something they shouldn't they are lacking in a vitiman. But I think the Kleenex could be (gonie, goine) that is what I told my children when I didn't want them to have something that it is all gone, and hide it, and it isn't going to hurt her to thow a tantrum. I can't think that eating kleenex would be good for her digestion. After one or two tantrums, she won't do it again unless you put the kleenex in front of her and that's not her fault. You may try and get a soft blanket, or little stuffed toy that will fit in her hand to just have for comfort to take the place ofthe feel of the kleenex.

Hey A., this isn't an answer to your question, but my name is A. Joy too!! Anyway, about the kleenex, I had a little boy that went to church with us that used to eat coloring books. He eventually out grew it. Maybe your friend could not buy anymore kleenex and then maybe use an old kleenex box to put either something edible (cheerios)in or giving her a soft washcloth or blanket to "chew" on. Good Luck with this and just rememeber to tell your friend that it will all come out in the wash. Just make sure that her child is having regular bowel movements. Hope this helps

A.

I would find a new doctor. The child might be lacking something in her diet which causes her to crave whatever is in the kleenex. I use to crave ice and found out I was deficient in iron. Eating kleenex is not normal.

I am going to sound very harsh I am afraid-but who is in charge here? The 2 year old is already demanding her way! What is so bad about taking a box of kleenex away from a child when it is wrong, harmful or unnessasary. Next it might be drugs or alcohol.
Take them away-put up with the tantrum-leave the child alone until she calms down and say-no more and mean it!
Thanks, V. B.

All great advice from the other moms about discipline and taking the Kleenex away. I agree that if your friend can't say NO to her daughter now, what will happen as she gets older.

On the serious side- this really sounds like Pica. Take the Kleenex away and make sure she watches the little girl for subsitutions of other inatimate objects. Sometimes it can be a nutritional imbalance that causes them to eat things (rocks, wood, paper, crayons, glass)- it can be really, really dangerous. Your friend needs to see a new doctor ASAP!

I would say put all kleenex not only out of reach but out of sight.

Um, that baby needs help. First of all, you'd better get her a pacifier or a blanket to suck on and get rid of the Kleenex. Fit or no fit...parents just have to suck it up. Two days of fits and it will be over with. Second, no food? No real nutrition? Seriously? If that is true and was told to the doc, you need a new doc if he thinks that is ok.

Good luck!

ECI is available to 2 year olds. ECI- stands for Early Chlidhood Intervention. You get a free in home evaluation from ECI Therapists. Tell your friend to call ECI and tell the problems she is having to them. We had ECI with our child and foster kids. They are great, however ECI is only good till the child turns 3, then you have to get other therapy set up. They have a nutritionist who can help and Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist and behavior therapists, who can help the Mom with behavior problems. Our first 6 months were free, and any time after that, it was going to cost us. They go on a sliding scale and also with your insurance.

Love and Logic is good also. Check out loveandlogic.com

Ok...I know this may seem crazy...but my dog does the same thing. She will eat an entire box of tissues while we're gone. She has a pancreatic condition where she doesn't produce digestive enzymes and has constant cravings for paper products. If their pediatrician can get bloodwork, they may show levels of low insulin or pancreatic enzymes.

I know this may not help...but it's an instact of hers...infants and toddlers do the same instant cravings for their nutritional needs sometimes. I've read things about kids eating towels and toilet paper for chemical imbalances in their systems. Tell her not to give up looking for reasons. It's not normal behavior.

Hugs,
H.

Hi A.,

I am not sure what is up with that. I just had a discussion today with my neighbor about my dog eating kleenex and toilet paper. It is an obsession with my dog. There has to be something in the paper goods that is attracting your child and my dog to it. It can't be good. It drives me crazy. The good thing is at least my dog eats alot of veggies and fruit and takes his juice plus and his dog food so I know he is getting his nutritional needs met.

As for your daughter I can't imagine she is getting any value from her current diet. I wonder if they spray something on the kleenex that makes them attracted to it?

You may want to supplement your childs diet with fruits and veggie. I am a Juice Plus distributor and we have gummies that your daughter might enjoy more than the kleenex. My website is www.gotjuiceplus.com. or call ###-###-####

Sally

Why do you have to take it away? if it is not available when she wakes up there is nothing to take away....just make them all dissappear when she is sleeping.......or just have an empty box for her......interesting

My guess is that your "friend" isn't telling the pediatrician that the little girl is only eating the kleenex. I absolutely think you should take it away and if she throws a tantrum then deal with it. Since this has been going on for months and months then it has already gone on wayyyyy to long. stop buying the kleenex and just deal with the tantrums...she is 2 after all and would have tantrums with or without this strange problem. I would get a new pediatrician and be totally honest about the problem too!

This has to be a joke!

Keep tissue out of reach of the child. At two years of age, she can be "controlled". Throws a tantrum... let her. Walk away ... as long as she is not in harms way... no problem. She'll learn.

A., if your husband is a great hands on dad, Maybe he could take the kleenex away from the three year old.
This has got to be a Pun of some sort.
Mk