Lesson is true for any parent of new babies: you don't watch him for 1 minute, and he peels off some styrofoam and eats it.

I was able to get a small piece out of his mouth but he swallowed the rest (about the size of a piece of nail). I'm freaking out! Anybody know if this will harm him? Should I consider taking him to the hospital?

 

think about it. Styrofoam is harmless.

 

Is it really? I have never eaten styrofoam (seriously). How is it harmless?

 

No. He will poop white though.

 

Ok thanks! Tried looking for styrofoam ingestion info on google and nothing relevant came up.

First time dad, you see.

 

people regularly chew on the edges of styrofoam coffee cups, ingesting varying amounts. There is no reason to worry.

 

can the human body digest it? i know it can't digest hair...

 

No, it doesn't digest.

It won't do any harm, and should come out the other end.

 

however, when styrofoam is lit on fire, THEN you should be in trouble as it gives off poisonous gases. In your case, your kid will be fine.

 

Bathing him will be problematic for a couple of days. You won't be able to get him to sink far enough to rinse him off.