AIBU to be concerned that I "need" to eat sponges?

[allthesponges]

Name changed as this sounds utterly bonkers.

Okay bear with me as I do really need your thoughts!

When i was pregnant with DS (now 4) I had two cravings - ice - pretty standard and sponges. And I don't mean the cake type. I wanted bath sponges or, even better, those little round ones for your face. I didn't ever digest them, but chewed on them, enjoyed the texture etc. I just put it down to hormones and sure enough it passed after I had given birth.

Over the past couple of months however, the cravings have reappeared. AIBU to be concerned by this? Surely this isn't normal. I can only think it is a vitamin deficiency. Anyone else experiences this?! Def not pregnant btw.

I understand this completely!! I was exactly the same, I loved chewing them and filling them with water and chewing, bliss!!

I have nothing helpful to add here but: bloody hell bodies are mad and amazing. How does one's mind know to make the connection between "I need iron" and "yep, better chow down on a sponge then!"

Seriously, if anyone knows sciencey reasons why there's this connection I'd love to know.

I get this with tobacco sometimes i smoke rollies and sometime i get the urge to chew on it. Its really strong. Even though i know it will taste vile.

I have heard the sponge eating before.. along with licking coal.

I eate sponges with all 3 pregnancies, loads of them!
Bath sponges, car sponges and my favourite, a pack of washing up sponges.
I still indulge time to time, but it always coincides with being anaemic.
After iron tablets the cravings are gone.

I had this

But it was plastic

I even had my own favourite brand of coat hanger and enjoyed the crunchiness of cd cases

I swallowed it too and apart from a sore bum every now and then I had no problems

Just...just

Thank you for all your replies and sharing your stories! I think it must be anemia. Luckily had some blood tests last week so will know the verdict soon.

I have pica. I've had it about 16 years
I eat cotton and other bits of clothes.
I've never been pregnant and I'm not anaemic (had blood test about a year ago)
I'm not sure what to do. I destroy my own clothing and worry what it's doing to me. But the urge is so intense.
I'm very embarrassed to go to a doctor, what can they even do?