My 3 1/2 year old has a disorder called pica. He has a compulsion to chew and eat non food items. We visit our pediatriacian regularily for blood tests on iron and lead levels but are still struggling with modifing the behavior. He takes a multivitamin daily and for a while that seemed to help. Now he is chewing on his windowsill. He gnaws at the wood and actually eats the wood. We have tried putting hot pepper oil on the wood and this deterred him for a short time. He does not limit himself to wood, he also eats books, cardboard and will chew his toys and fingers.
Does anyone out there have experience with this and if so, how do you cope with it? Do you have any suggestions as to help deter him?
Thanks!
2006-12-15 12:16:10 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
We know this is not a healthy or normal disorder. He has been diagnosed by a professional and we visit the perdiatrician regularily. He is not eating glass, it is the wood around the glass that he is chewing on.
2006-12-15 12:38:23 · update #1
I would also suggest something to keep his mouth busy... some children with pica have oral motor compulsions that need to be satisfied. Beef jerky, red licorace, anything chewy, will need to be available. You can also purchase fishtank tubing (plastic tubing that you can purchase from hardware stores) for him to chew on (at least you know it doesn't contain lead or other harmful chemicals, and isn't sharp). There are also special chewy bracelets that you can purchase from Abilitations (a store for children with special needs) at http://www.abilitations.com. These should help satisfy some of the chewing needs... as for eating non-edibles, you just have to be ontop of him and make sure that he is not chewing on things he shouldn't be. Glad you are up on taking him to the doctor and checking his lead levels, etc. It is important to be conscious of lead levels, as well as iron levels... many people with pica are anemic and have a need for iron supplements. Good luck!
2006-12-17 11:42:55 · answer #1 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pica is considered an eating disorder. Talk to a child psychologist as well as a good pediatrician. Thats not healthy for your kid to be eating wood and chewing on glass.
2006-12-15 12:18:32 · answer #2 · answered by MIPerson 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My little brother has pica and untill about 2 years ago, he'd eat anything and everything. The best way to deter the child is by constantly telling them it's bad. that's the only thing u can really do. there's no medication for it either. just tell them it's bad and stop them when they are doing it. Best of luck
2006-12-15 12:42:17 · answer #3 · answered by Ronald D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a friend who had this - and she said she had it since she was a little child. I know when every time I saw her she was always trying to keep her self busy. She always had gum and I think beef jerky. She said the texture helped.
She also had a friend who she talked to everytime she had a craving and they would distract her or work threw it
sorry I can't be more of a help.
2006-12-15 12:30:34 · answer #4 · answered by zealkiss01 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋