My 3yr old son has been putting everything that is non-nutritional in his mouth. Plants, toys, rocks, just about anything he can get his hands on. Of course I'm terrified he is going to choke and his teachers at school have to constantly watch him. I'm wondering if this is just a phase he is going through. I have tried to talk to him and tell him it is very dangerous to put things in his mouth that's not food. It has gotten to the point where I feel like I have to punish him now when he does it. The more I tell him not to do it, of course the more he does it. I have spoken with the pediatrician and she says it's a phase, but what do I do in the mean time.
Thank you all for your advice. It has been about a month now and the putting of things in our mouth has finally stopped. I put my son on an iron and vitamin regimen. It seems to help tremendously. After about two weeks, even his teachers at school noticed, he was not putting things in his mouth and chewing on them. I will continue him on the vitamin regimen and hope for the best.
Sounds like a condition called "Pica"; the persistent eating of nonnutritive substances, such as dirt or paint. Here is some weblinks for articles I found on Pica:
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/pica.html
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/118/112908.htm
I hope this helps!
It could be that something is missing from his diet that he needs or perhaps he just needs more food or milk than he is getting through the day if he is in daycare. It could be a vitamin that he needs. God bless you.
My daughter is almost 4 and does the same thing. I always find stuff in her mouth. Rocks, beads, toys... I just remind her that those things don't belong in her mouth and she could choke on them. I am hoping she will grow out of it.
My 5 year old is still doing that, but he is like his father, who chews on everything, some folks are just that way. I think that the advice you have received so far is great advice, I really like the toilet paper role idea, that's a great idea.
S.
instead of telling him NO tell im why not! for example.. "if you put that in your mouth it will make your tummy hurt"... "plants are for the earth, rocks are for thd dirt not for your mouth" it works for the kids at daycare. it gives them a reason and not just NO dont' put that in your mouth, which is overrated to them. HTH
I have a 19-month son going through the same thing. My best advice is keep everything harmful out of sight, and don't stress about stuff he can't fit into his mouth completely. Give Big Brother a toilet paper tube and tell him that if something is small enough to get through the tube that his brother can't play with it-he'll think it's fun AND it'll help you stress a little less.
it really is just a phase he will grow out of it my oldest daughter ate pennys when she was 3 just takes time good luck
My three year old is doing the same thing. We have brought him to the hospital because he put something in his mouth that he was not suppose to. So I know how you feel. My other two boys quit putting things in their mouth when they hit about two years old, but my three year old just won't stop doing it. He eats grass, dirt, money, stuff off of the floor, ect. He just won't stop and I have tried to punish him and talking to him and nothing seems to work, so if you hear anything that helps you, please let me know. Thanks
