DS likes to taste dirt, grass, sidewalk chalk etc.

esutton76

My DS will sometimes eat dirt, sand, sidewalk chalk, and grass while playing outside.  I don't know if I should be worried or if this is what toddler boys do?  He doesn't do it every single time, but just in case it is something to worry about, I am going to call his pedi Monday morning.  Until then, I just wondered if any of you have dealt with this?

I read somewhere that if your child eats things like dirt or grass, he could be missing something in his diet.  My DS eats really well, plus takes a multivitamin for toddlers, so I don't think that could be it. 

Thanks for your help. 

 

rosesandpeonies

Its called pica if they like the taste of things other than food.  I do not know how they diagnose it in toddlers...because I know my daughter tastes everything but she has know clue what she is even eating.  Does he deliberately go outside and eat the grass knowing it isn't food,etc? 

 

ETA:  Pica can be a sign of vitamin deficiency but it doesn't have to be i dont think.

katiekate1974

Is he eating it or just putting it in his mouth sometimes? Unless he's seeking the strange objects out, I would chalk it up to normal exploratory behavior.

esutton76

rosesandpeonies:

Its called pica if they like the taste of things other than food.  I do not know how they diagnose it in toddlers...because I know my daughter tastes everything but she has know clue what she is even eating.  Does he deliberately go outside and eat the grass knowing it isn't food,etc? 

 

ETA:  Pica can be a sign of vitamin deficiency but it doesn't have to be i dont think.

Well, I have noticed that if he is getting ready to do something or has done something that he isn't supposed to do while outside and I try to correct him or tell him to stop, he will deliberately pick up dirt, grass, or whatever and stick it in his mouth.  I don't know if he is doing it to get a reaction from me or what.  He doesn't just randomly search out stuff to eat or taste, but it is enough to make me concerned.  

 

katiekate1974

esutton76:

rosesandpeonies:

Its called pica if they like the taste of things other than food.  I do not know how they diagnose it in toddlers...because I know my daughter tastes everything but she has know clue what she is even eating.  Does he deliberately go outside and eat the grass knowing it isn't food,etc? 

 

ETA:  Pica can be a sign of vitamin deficiency but it doesn't have to be i dont think.

Well, I have noticed that if he is getting ready to do something or has done something that he isn't supposed to do while outside and I try to correct him or tell him to stop, he will deliberately pick up dirt, grass, or whatever and stick it in his mouth.  I don't know if he is doing it to get a reaction from me or what.  He doesn't just randomly search out stuff to eat or taste, but it is enough to make me concerned.  

 

Not pica. People with Pica CRAVE the items, and that doesn't appear the case with your son. Frankly, it sounds behavioral. How are you discipling him? Is it possible putting things in his mouth is a soothing mechanism for him?

esutton76

katiekate1974:

esutton76:

rosesandpeonies:

Its called pica if they like the taste of things other than food.  I do not know how they diagnose it in toddlers...because I know my daughter tastes everything but she has know clue what she is even eating.  Does he deliberately go outside and eat the grass knowing it isn't food,etc? 

 

ETA:  Pica can be a sign of vitamin deficiency but it doesn't have to be i dont think.

Well, I have noticed that if he is getting ready to do something or has done something that he isn't supposed to do while outside and I try to correct him or tell him to stop, he will deliberately pick up dirt, grass, or whatever and stick it in his mouth.  I don't know if he is doing it to get a reaction from me or what.  He doesn't just randomly search out stuff to eat or taste, but it is enough to make me concerned.  

 

Not pica. People with Pica CRAVE the items, and that doesn't appear the case with your son. Frankly, it sounds behavioral. How are you discipling him? Is it possible putting things in his mouth is a soothing mechanism for him?

This is great to know.  When he throws rocks or try to pick someone's flowers, I will say "we don't throw rocks" or "it isn't nice to pick flowers" and as soon as I finish, he will pick up a rock or grass and stick it in his mouth.   

Thanks for your help. 

rosesandpeonies

katiekate1974:

esutton76:

rosesandpeonies:

Its called pica if they like the taste of things other than food.  I do not know how they diagnose it in toddlers...because I know my daughter tastes everything but she has know clue what she is even eating.  Does he deliberately go outside and eat the grass knowing it isn't food,etc? 

 

ETA:  Pica can be a sign of vitamin deficiency but it doesn't have to be i dont think.

Well, I have noticed that if he is getting ready to do something or has done something that he isn't supposed to do while outside and I try to correct him or tell him to stop, he will deliberately pick up dirt, grass, or whatever and stick it in his mouth.  I don't know if he is doing it to get a reaction from me or what.  He doesn't just randomly search out stuff to eat or taste, but it is enough to make me concerned.  

 

Not pica. People with Pica CRAVE the items, and that doesn't appear the case with your son. Frankly, it sounds behavioral. How are you discipling him? Is it possible putting things in his mouth is a soothing mechanism for him?

  I tend to agree with this.  If you are concerned though and your motherly instinct is telling you to call the pedi, then I would.  That is my feeling, although it doesn't sound like he is searching out to eat abnormal things in my opinion.  It might be a reaction like you are saying.

esutton76

rosesandpeonies:

katiekate1974:

esutton76:

rosesandpeonies:

Its called pica if they like the taste of things other than food.  I do not know how they diagnose it in toddlers...because I know my daughter tastes everything but she has know clue what she is even eating.  Does he deliberately go outside and eat the grass knowing it isn't food,etc? 

 

ETA:  Pica can be a sign of vitamin deficiency but it doesn't have to be i dont think.

Well, I have noticed that if he is getting ready to do something or has done something that he isn't supposed to do while outside and I try to correct him or tell him to stop, he will deliberately pick up dirt, grass, or whatever and stick it in his mouth.  I don't know if he is doing it to get a reaction from me or what.  He doesn't just randomly search out stuff to eat or taste, but it is enough to make me concerned.  

 

Not pica. People with Pica CRAVE the items, and that doesn't appear the case with your son. Frankly, it sounds behavioral. How are you discipling him? Is it possible putting things in his mouth is a soothing mechanism for him?

  I tend to agree with this.  If you are concerned though and your motherly instinct is telling you to call the pedi, then I would.  That is my feeling, although it doesn't sound like he is searching out to eat abnormal things in my opinion.  It might be a reaction like you are saying.

I feel much better after posting this, but I might still call his pedi to be on the safe side.  Thanks you for all your help. 

WannaBAmama

My son does the same thing. He tries to eat rocks and sand while we are outside. He deliberatly turns his head away from us to shove rocks in his mouth. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't actually swallow a rock (I've always taken it out of his mouth right away)  I joke that he has pica but I don't really think he does. Can they really diagnose a 13 month old with it? Now this post has me worrying...

esutton76

WannaBAmama:

My son does the same thing. He tries to eat rocks and sand while we are outside. He deliberatly turns his head away from us to shove rocks in his mouth. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't actually swallow a rock (I've always taken it out of his mouth right away)  I joke that he has pica but I don't really think he does. Can they really diagnose a 13 month old with it? Now this post has me worrying...

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. :-(  I think my DS likes to put rocks in his mouth, because it is different and they are just the right size.  I don't think he would actually swallow the rocks either.  I think your son is too young to diagnose, I honestly think he is just being curious.

:-)