5 Month Old Loves to Eat Paper

There could be many reasons why she craves it - taste - Paper does have that. She could need more fiber or iron in her diet. Do not stress about it my daughter did the same thing. Doctor told me the same thing her body was lacking something. I breasfeed as well and I was enemic so my iron was low she needed more iron inher diet.

babies use their mouth to explore things. It tells them much more about something than just looking at it. They also teeth at that age, so i doubt it's about the needing something in her diet. if she seems to cry for "paper", i would give her something else. Don't give in. It only makes it harder as they get older to say no at that point.
My first daughter especially, learned early that just because she cries, she can't always get what she wants. I never gave her anything to pacify her for the moment, and now if we are in the store, and she says she wants something, and i say no, she is fine with that. I just say she doesn't need it or she already has it. There are no tantrums ever. And it's so nice to take her shopping with me!
My youngest is a bit different, and at times, i have given in, and i see the difference. Yet, at the store, she feeds off her older sister, and that helps alot because my oldest never whines for anything.
At 5 months, your daughter can only get what you give her, for toys, etc. Make a point to find something else that is more interesting than paper. And remember that phases never last too long!
Good luck!

Hi S.,

My daugher loved newspaper. When I asked her pediatrian about it, she said it was okay, since soy-based ink is what is used now. Most of the paper went "right through"! I always kept a close eye on her and eventually she out-grew the paper chewing. I'm not sure about the iron, I was anemic during my pregnancy with her and possibly had low iron afterwards but not tested. She was BF and on solids (was BF until close to 3 years old). She's now 12 years old and no health issues. Even those hard baby books were fair game. :-)

liking paper is normal
it's pretty & it crinkles!

however, what you say about your boyfriend disturbs me, sorry to be so direct...it's hard to leave a baby with someone if you're not sure they're capable...

She may be missing some minerals. Has your pediatrician recommended a vitamin/mineral supplement? If not, there are some good ones at local natural food markets. Both of your daughters would benefit from a good supplement for their age group.

Let me know what happens!

E. (____@____.com)

I actually saw this show about children (even adults) eating non food items and it is a disorder called Pica. Here is a website that tells you more about it. I am not sure if you child has this, but it is something to look into perhaps. Here is the site: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/pica.html
Take care!

Your baby is not lacking anything from her diet. She is doing what all babies do. Your baby is probably teething. My son is 11 months and 2 weeks, he do the same thing. If you leave mail or paper of any kind he put it in his mouth. Just watch your baby and teach her the meaning of no, by said no paper when she goes to put it in her mouth.

my daughter had the same thing going on for almost 1.5 years. she would eat, wood, plaster from her wall and anything she could get her mouth on. she was diagnosed with a thing called PICA. the doctor said she will grow out of it and she has actually gotten alot better. i would ask your dr about it as well as check it out on the internet. we did blood work to be sure that her vitamins and minerals and iron were okay. it is bAsicall the eating of nonfood items to feel full but not gain weight. they said that a lot of prego people or othes with eating disorders have this. check it out and good luck. B.

Daddies often tend to conveniently 'not notice' when babies are up to no good!

Your baby sounds like maybe she is teething, or simply just going through a natural 'oral' phase where she wants to explore everything interesting and new to her, by putting it into her mouth. She might also just like the texture of the paper.

My baby is now 11 months and he still loves to put everything in his mouth and try to eat it! The other day, in daddy's care, I found him eating a cardboard box and chewing away happily!

You simply have to be careful and make sure nothing harmful is in her way- and that will solve the paper problem. Even if she freaks out- don't give in, just give her a teething ring, or a toy that is safe for her to chew on instead, to distract her. Keep many of those around- so she will be attracted to them instead of paper. And- satisfy her need to chew!

That will usually help, as they have short attention spans at this age anyway!

Hi Sue Ellen,

I have 2 children of my own. I will first start out by saying that almost all children have what I call "hand-to-mouth" disease. They put any and everything in their mouths until they are at least 2. Not too sure why but that's what they do. I am not a physician but I can say that I don't think she is craving paper. I think that she wants it because she is familiar with it. And yes I too would have gotten upset for your boyfriend not watching her closer. My niece has choked on paper before. You have to be very careful.
Hope this helps you. If you watch her closely, you will also realize that she will put everything in her mouth that her little hands can hold.
Good luck!
~M.

Hi there, I'd just get your daughter tested, checking her levels, then just keep the paper away. Babies cry when they don't get what they want, annoying and troubling yes, but we are the parent and we have a job to do with them. Just say no, haha.
Fathers tend to be alot more laid back, mine taught Hannah to sit on the back edge of the sofa. Then she kept getting on it. When he finally noticed, he said it must be from tv that she is learning it. Men?! Its like having two babies, right.

This is one of those, this too will pass, things. What is really interesting is finding out how the hand to mouth means in relationship to personality. It's interesting.

Well good luck! Jen