Babies are cute creatures that do not know their left from their right. They are ignorant of their environment and just like adults, they are curious about the things they come across. This is why they experiment using their mouths as tools.
So, don’t freak out when your babies suck their fingers, and toes, or chew things they pick from the floor such as poop. It is their way of examining the things around them. All you need to do is ensure that their environment is free of items or substances that may harm them.
If your baby ate his poop, don’t be frightened. Your case isn’t the first and there’s a remedy. In this article, you will get to know what to do when your baby eats poop as well as what to do to avoid another occurrence.
Is Eating Poop Dangerous?
Poop isn’t supposed to be consumed, even though it doesn’t cause many problems when consumed in a little quantity, it can lead to microbial infection if taken in big quantities.
Poops are waste material that isn’t useful to the body; it is actually the remnant of the food consumed. The body takes the ones it wants and rejects others. The rejected ones are then excreted in form of fecal matter.
While the rejected ones aren’t dangerous in their original form, they become dangerous after picking microorganisms while passing through the process of digestion. The ugly part is that these microorganisms do not get eliminated by the process. Even when excreted, they are still 100% active.
These microorganisms aren’t harmful while inside the digestive tract acting as normal floras, they become toxic when the environment is changed. This explains why it has the ability to initiate infection when consumed.
Also Read: Why Is My Baby’s Poop Foamy? – Find Out
Can Babies Get Sick from Eating their Poop?
It depends on the type of poop they consumed. If it’s they consumed their poop in small quantities, there won’t be much to worry about as the percentage of fecal matter isn’t much compared to an adult’s poop.
But if they consumed it in large quantities, there’s a possibility that they may suffer from food poisoning and will need medical attention.
Is It Normal for Babies to Eat Poop?
Not just poop, babies tend to eat anything they come across. It’s their habit and this is why you must be alert at all moments as a parent. If you are too busy, hiring a caregiver isn’t a bad idea.
They are ignorant of their environment and its happenings. This is why they eat anything around them, it shows that they are developing as they should.
What Happens If my Baby Eats Poop During Delivery?
Your baby’s first poop called meconium is thick and green in color. It can be described as a tar-like substance. It is the substance that lines your baby’s intestines while in your womb and it can’t be released while he is still inside your womb.
Although in rare cases, your baby releases the meconium into the amniotic fluid. There won’t be any problem if he eats by any chance. The problem will emanate if he inhales it into his tender lungs. This is what causes a health complication called Meconium Aspiration Syndrome.
What will Happen If my Baby Eats Poop?
If your baby eats his poop after delivery, he won’t have an issue if he consumed it in a very small quantity. You just have to keep your eyes on him to avoid reoccurrence. But if he consumed its large quantity, he may display signs of food poisoning or even get infected by the microbes present in the poop.
Again, this depends on the kind of poop your baby consumed. If he consumed his poop or that of his sibling, he might not fall ill because human poop isn’t toxic compared to animals’ poop.
Also Read: What Happens If Baby Sleep in Freshly Painted Room
What to Do When Your Baby Eats Poop?
If your baby consumes little quantity of his poop, you don’t have to panic too much as human poop isn’t toxic although it contains microbes capable of initiating infection. Your baby might experience a slight stomach ache and display the symptoms of food poisoning but it’s usually at the barest minimum.
The display of symptoms of food poisoning is a result of the presence of microorganisms such as E.coli and Salmonella Sp. in the poop. So, when you notice your baby ate his poop, do the following:
1. Bath him thoroughly
Instead of panicking, this is the first thing you must do because your baby might still be having poop on his hands, legs, and even on his cloth. Quickly bathe him with disinfectant suitable for babies of his age. The disinfectant will get rid of microorganisms that might be present on his hands and other parts of his body.
2. Wash his mouth
He might be having some remnant in his mouth and that’s not good at all. The microorganisms present there may begin to affect his gum if not removed immediately. Wash or clean his mouth with a neat towel soaked in warm water.
3. Clean up the mess
You don’t want your baby to go back to the poop, do you? Clean up the whole place with active disinfectant to get rid of microbes that might be sticking around. Wash the stained clothes with disinfectants as well and ensure you keep your baby away from that area.
4. Watch out for symptom
Be very observant and look out for symptoms like Nausea, Diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. You can also look out for stomach ache. If your baby displays these symptoms, it shows that he is reacting to the poop he ate. Don’t panic, these symptoms usually don’t last for more than one day.
5. Report to a Pediatrician
If these symptoms persist for two days, you should go see a doctor. Diarrhea is a serious issue, especially among babies that don’t have the ability to explain their pain. If it continues for a long time, they can become dehydrated.
Also Read: How to Prevent Picky Eating in Toddlers
My Baby Ate Cat’s Poop, What do I do?
Unlike human poop, cats’ poop is very dangerous when consumed. It causes a severe disease called toxoplasmosis because of a particular microorganism in the poop. If your baby eats cat poop, you must do the following:
1. Clean him up
You must clean him immediately with adequate disinfectant and clean water. Do this immediately to prevent the spread of the microorganism into other areas. Also, clean the affected area and disinfect it as well.
2. Make provision for the cat
As a nursing parent, you must be careful of the things you have around for the sake of your baby. It’s best you find a good place for the cat away from the baby, and release it whenever you are sure you are with your baby. This will avoid future occurrences.
3. Watch out for the symptoms
Since the microbe in a cat’s poop causes toxoplasmosis, you will have to look out for symptoms like high temperature, aching muscles, tiredness, sore throat, and swollen glands.
4. Report to a doctor
If the symptoms persist after two days, consult your doctor for a proper examination. Ensure that you seek a qualified doctor’s advice and never practice self-medication. Your baby’s health matters a lot.
What to do if baby Ate Dog Poop
Even though dogs’ poop does not cause toxoplasmosis like cats’ poop, it is also dangerous when consumed. It will cause a negative effect on your baby’s health. If your baby eats dog’s poop, quickly wash him up, clean the place up immediately, and observe him for noticeable symptoms.
Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache. Depending on your baby’s immune system, these symptoms might not last more than one day. If it does, consult your doctor as soon as possible for a proper examination.
It is also advised that you separate your baby from your dog. Release the dog only when you are fully around to monitor your baby’s activities. If your dog hasn’t received the recommended dosage for worms, chances are that your baby might have ingested some of the worms. Self-medication can’t handle this issue, quickly go see the doctor for proper checking.
Also Read: When Can Baby Start Eating a Solid Food
What Is it Called When a Baby Eats Poop?
While it is normal for your baby to eat poop, it isn’t okay if he does it consistently. If he does, it means that he is having an eating disorder called Pica. Babies with this disorder crave and eat mostly no food items such as clay, flaking paint, and specks of dirt. They can even chew their hair, rubber, and of course, poop.
This disorder is common among babies from one year to six years, and it also affects adults as well as pregnant women. If you notice your baby is so much into non-food items, look out for the following symptoms to confirm your suspicion.
The symptoms include stomach pain, blood in the stool, constipation or diarrhea, lead poisoning, intestinal blockage, teeth injuries, and infection.
This rarely occurs but you must be careful and observant to know when your baby is going away from the norm.
If your baby eats poop, don’t panic away the time you need to do the things that matter most. Do the list of things written here and resolve the issue instead of fighting more.
