I know this sounds like a joke, but it's not. My two year old daughter insists on eating dirt and sand every time we go outside to play. She absolutely shovels it in! I have another child, and every time my back is turned or my attention is shifted for even just a moment, my two year old has a mouth full of dirt! I have tried everything I can think of to get her to stop and it's not working. This has been going on for several months now.
I would like only gentle ideas- no spanking, yelling, etc. She's only two. Thank you so much.
2006-11-08 08:34:35 · 10 answers · asked by Elaine 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I used to eat dirt from age 3-5. My parents tried yelling and screaming, but that didn't make me stop. My older brother would join in saying, "haha you're so gross. you eat dirt. you're nasty." Every time they caught me, they'd tell me it was wrong. So I learned that it was wrong, but I was like an addict (bad habits are hard to break).
My mom's biggest worry was that I would get worms or some other parasite in my digestive tract. She would take me to the doctor every other week to get my stool sample tested (sorry TMI).
The good news is that I did grow out of it. Some people say that children who eat dirt are trying to make up for a vitamin/mineral deficiency. Not sure if it's true but I did stop eating dirt around the same time that I started taking a multivitamin everyday.
Even though I stopped at age 5, I remembered (fondly) the taste of dirt for many years. I would just force myself not to eat it. Now I'm in my 30's and can barely remember the taste (and I don't remember it fondly anymore). When I see my 2 year old son lick the floor, I get completely grossed out but I understand what my parents went through.
Two year olds are really hard to control. You can keep reminding her that it's yucky. Let her know that worms and bugs live in dirt. Talk to her pediatrician to find out if it's something to be really concerned about. Try giving her a multivitamin (age appropriate) to see if that helps. If it's the texture she likes and not necessarily the taste, you can try crushing dry cereal (like cheerios) and that will look and feel like sand.
Hope that helps. Hang in there!
Regards,
mari
2006-11-08 09:11:53 · answer #1 · answered by mari m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She may be lacking some minerals in her system. I know I read this some time ago, that sometimes that's why pregnant women feel the urge to eat dirt, sand, wax, etc...It could be the same with babies, who knows...
You know dirt has iron, and sand has potassium and calsium, may be (I'm no expert) she needs more minerals. I'd talk to your baby's pediatrician, he will tell you more accurately.
Good luck!
P.S.: I ate dirt, crayons and cake candles as a child, and I'm just fine, so don't over worry!
2006-11-08 16:54:14 · answer #2 · answered by lost in space 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well basically you need to give her consequences. you could say "we are going outside now, and if you eat dirt, we are coming back in and you wont be allowed to go out. and you have to stick to it. pay close attention to her. do things with her that dont require being near dirt. just keep her focused on something so that she wont think about dirt, and eventually, it will be a thing of the past
2006-11-08 17:09:48 · answer #3 · answered by psychologistnovelist 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could add a nontoxic flavour to some dirt, maybe like the stuff you put on kids fingernails to stop them biting them, leave some of that around for her to taste, I think this may make her think it now tastes horrible and then maybe you could explain why we don't eat dirt, because dirt is yukky and only earthworms eat dirt and they are yukky too lol....
2006-11-08 16:40:04 · answer #4 · answered by kiroc k-Terry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately not a whole lot you can do except take her inside every time she does it. If she likes to play outside she will eventually stop. You don't have to yell, but slightly raising your voice will get her attention and you can distract her from what she is doing.
2006-11-08 16:38:33 · answer #5 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's called pica (I remember that from a child psychopathology class). She'll probably grow out of it, but the key is to stop it before she hurts herself. I'd consult a pediatrician because you want to make sure you get the right advice.
2006-11-08 16:38:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She must have an iron deficiency, give her a lot of greens and see if that helps.
2006-11-08 17:49:16 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lol, honey. All kids do that. We can't stop them. Just keep them away from stuff.
2006-11-08 16:39:24 · answer #8 · answered by smile 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give her some vitamins and make sure she is getting enough iron, kids that do that are lack iron in their diet
2006-11-08 22:24:47 · answer #9 · answered by chuy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Provide dood for him or her on a regular basis.
2006-11-08 17:07:38 · answer #10 · answered by Jennifer w 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋