Hi My son eats soap. I try to keep him from doing it. when i give him a bath i have to keep all the soaps up high. But whatever is on his body that i have not rinsed yet will get into his mouth because he eats it. I told my sister-in-law about this and she asks "did you talk to the doctor about it?" No I haven't. Should I? Is this a milestone he will get over, or should I be concerned? Another thing is, he drinks a lot of water. and I mean a lot of it. he asks for water all the time, even in the bath he's drinking water. Is the drinking the water and eating the soap linked together somehow? Thanks.
I would tell the doctor, could be Pica. Eating soap is not a milestone or something normal that every kid goes through. Also, I would not buy scented soaps that smell like something good. If he's smelling apple or vanilla or even something flowery, it might seem like something good to eat.
Please, please, please! Take your child to the pediatrician and demand that he be tested for diabetes. Don't take "no" for an answer. I am a Pharmacist and have a friend whose 1 year old son just died of diabetes -- they didn't know he had it and he was misdiagnosed. By the time they figured out what it was, it was too late. He went into a DKA coma (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) and died suddenly. I pray that I am wrong, but extreme thirst is a telltale sign. A simple blood glucose test would have saved his life. If he does have diabetes, I would recommend seeing a Pediatric Endocrinologist through All Children's Hospital - they have amazing specialists. Also, another sign of diabetes can be ketones on the breath -- which can smell like nail polish remover, sort of sweet-like. Please have him checked to rule this out -- it's a simple prick and a blood test and they may also test his urine to see if it has ketones or sugar spilling into it. Again, I hope and pray I'm wrong, but couldn't live with myself if something happened and I didn't say anything.
Wishing you the best,
Kristen (____@____.com)
Both of my kids did this. He'll stop eventually. No they're not linked. My son loves being a "big boy" drinking water from a sippy. And will still occasionally drink the bath water. But he stopped eating soap when he bit a huge chunk out of one of the bars of soap! Once in a blue moon he'll still lick the bubbles in the water.
My daughter did this until she was 3. Maybe close to 4. I think it's the texture and the tickly feeling.
I am a pharmacist, and my first thought was diabetes, just as the other pharmacist mentioned. Please take your child to the doctor ASAP.
I am not sure if its normal or not but in the mean time buy natural soap from Whole Foods or other natural store. Typical soaps even baby soaps have ALOT of chemicals in them and I would be concerned about my child ingesting it. Look at the labels. Try to keep him busy with toys or better yet allow him to play in just water first before soaping him up and then take him out immediately. Good luck!
ROFL...
I ate soap, too. For years. I remember being *constantly* disappointed that the "cherry" smelling handsoap (in public loos) NEVER tasted like cherries. Seriously... I ate soap well into elementary school.
OTOH... my sister ate sand, and my brother ate dog food.
I'd say, my parents got off lucky with me.
You need to talk to your pediatrician right away to rule out a condition known as Pica.
I agree with what others said, the soap thing just seems like a phase he'll outgrow at some point. You'll just want to keep an eye on him. But if he's constantly thirsty, that is something that needs to be looked into.
He may be just one of those kids that you are going to have to watch every minute. I had a cousin that would eat and drink everything. He started out eating soap as a toddler, then he drank clorox, dish soap,,etc..etc...He didn't out grow it until around 9 years of age. I for sure would talk to my doctor about it and see what he/she says.
I agree with Kris H. The soap thing didn’t faze me but the excessive water drinking did. Did this start recently? Has your child been acting different, changes in temperament and/or sleep pattern? I would have him tested for diabetes ASAP. Some CVS pharmacies will do a blood glucose test right there. Please don’t panic, just have it looked into and rule it out. As a mom I tend to be overprotective at times, even with other people’s kids. Your son may just be thirsty and you are one of the lucky moms that won’t have to battle with their child to drink water. Keep us posted!
I have this same problem with my daughter. when shes in the bath tub she like the soapy water and if you give her a cup to play with she will sometimes drink the water. I dont feel like its anything to worry about. They are just playing and being curious, and its only water and soap!Could be putting worse things in their mouths!! Im not gonna worry about it, and just like you do, we give her a sippy cup with water she can drink if she tries to do this in the tub!
I dk, my dd loved to drink her bath water and it drove me nuts. she stop after a while but she never ate soap. i am sure it is not good for him as he might get the runs, but i have never heard of this being an issue like pica where children feel the need/urge to eat dirt/paper and such. good luck, bring it up w/ the dr. it cant hurt to mention it that is what they are there for.
