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Expert Q&A:
Why does my 19-month-old grandson eat fuzz and hair?

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Suzanne Dixon
Answered by Suzanne Dixon M.D., M.P.H.
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"There is nothing so amazing as the development of a child," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who was one of the founding members of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Every day is a new adventure when you have a child around you. I never get tired of learning from the children who have been a part of my life, professionally and personally."Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. She did her pediatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then completed a fellowship in Child Development at Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Dixon joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, and did patient care, teaching, and research for 20 years. She ran a large newborn service, performed research in early child development, and was involved in many community outreach activities in maternal child health. Throughout her entire professional life she has maintained an interest in cross-cultural activities, living and working in many parts of the world, including Mexico, India, Kenya, Indonesia, and several countries from the former U.S.S.R. Dr. Dixon is the author of numerous research articles, review articles, and textbook chapters in pediatrics, child and family development, and public health. Her textbook, written with Dr. Martin Stein, Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, has become a classic in child health education and is in its fourth edition. She is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, an international journal of high standing in the professional world. She also has served as an associate editor for Infant Mental Health and currently reviews for several major pediatric journals. Dr. Dixon is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served in national positions in that organization. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the Society for Research in Child Development, the American Public Health Association, and the Executive Council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She serves as consultant to several national and international organizations and has received an award from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.Dr. Dixon continues to lecture and consult worldwide on aspects of maternal, child, and family health. She practices behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana and works with local advocacy groups on education and women''s health. Dr. Dixon has been married for over 30 years and has three sons. She and her husband travel frequently, are outdoor enthusiasts, and enjoy being amateur anthropologists.
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Question


Why does my 19-month-old grandson eat speaker fuzz, hair, blanket fuzz, carpet fuzz -- are you getting the picture? I try to discourage him but thus far have been very unsuccessful. He comes to me when he's choking on it so I can pull iWhy does my 19-month-old grandson eat speaker fuzz, hair, blanket fuzz, carpet fuzz -- are you getting the picture? I try to discourage him but thus far have been very unsuccessful. He comes to me when he's choking on it so I can pull it from his mouth.

Answer


Many children favor a specific kind of sensory input and using your mouth is part of the exploration of objects in early childhood. However, in your grandson's case, his preferences are getting him into trouble. Before long, he'll build up a ball of fuzz in his stomach, a bezoar, that will cause him a problem. Or the fuzz can get caught in his throat as you describe. Everyone who sees him doing this needs to stop him immediately and then give him something else that is fascinating to do. You need to find a substitute, perhaps a furry animal whose fur stays on, a satin-edged blanket to rub -- you get the idea. Sometimes children with developmental difficulties or anemic children develop these kinds of habits. If you have any concerns along those lines, bring him to his health care provider. He's due for his 18-month checkup soon. Go to the section of this site that outlines what we expect for kids that age and see how he's matching up. Have his parents bring that information to the health visit.
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