One evening, relatives visiting from the island were on their way to join us for dinner. With only a few minutes before they arrived, I left my son in the living room watching cartoons while I made a few final touch-ups to my hair.
Suddenly, an unpleasant odor filled the air. I recognized it immediately and assumed a quick diaper change would resolve the issue before our guests arrived. Boy, was I wrong!
As I walked down the hallway, I noticed streaks across my pristine white tiles. His partially soiled pull-ups lay near an overturned chair, evidence of what had transpired. Following the trail into the living room, I found smudges on the sofa as well. My heart sank.
In the corner stood my son, with his hands, shirt, and face smeared. To my horror, he was attempting to put his soiled fingers into his mouth. I rushed to stop him, but he resisted—hitting, kicking, and even trying to bite me in his determination. Just as I struggled to contain the situation, there was a knock at the door. Panic set in, but thankfully it was only a neighbor requesting a shovel, not our expected guests.
I quickly carried my son to the bathroom, stripped him, and began cleaning him thoroughly. I used alcohol-free mouthwash and his toothbrush with toothpaste to scrub his teeth and tongue, despite his fight. My mind raced with worry about the germs he had ingested and the potential health risks.
I called my family to postpone dinner, offering a small excuse, and then contacted his pediatrician. The doctor reassured me to remain calm, clean his mouth thoroughly, and prepare for the possibility that this behavior might recur.
Unfortunately, it did. My son has repeated this behavior several times, even attempting to consume playdough, paint, and slime. His pediatrician prescribed iron supplements, but he refuses them as soon as he detects the taste in his bottle. I have since learned that the most effective strategy is to change him immediately after he soils his pull-ups. This proactive approach has been our only reliable solution.
