How do I stop my baby from eating dirt?

Question

my 8 month old baby always attackes al the plants and eats dirt..its definetly one of her favourate snacks..and yes I do feed her.not like she's hungry..how I do stop her from eating plants, withought having to throw them away? thankx

Answer 1

You watch your baby, instead of neglecting your baby.

Answer 2

Hi Baby D,
I would try to keep the plants out of her reach if at all possible. If she's only 8 months old, I would guess she can't walk yet...? If she can, she's probably not very tall. Can you put the plant(s) somewhere that she can't reach?

As one comment said, very true; God made dirt, and dirt don't hurt. It's been proven that dirt actually strengthens a childs immune system, they're pushing parents now, to let kids eat dirt. And considering that it's a indoor plant (I'm guessing?) It's probably not contaminated with worms or bugs of any kind. I would just let her eat it.

If you're still concerned, why not just cover the dirt with saran wrap? It'll be see-thru, and it won't stand out, but she won't be able to eat it.

If all else fails, when you see her eating the dirt, grab her, bring her to the highchair and give her some cheerios/snacks. Or break up some bread, and give it to her. Actually, (I know it sounds stupid but it's true, believe-it-or-not) if you want to, you could sift some dirt and be sure nothing was in it, and wash it a bit, and give it to her for a snack. You could get a plastic baggie, and fill up some pre-sifted & washed dirt, and give it to her when she tried to eat it out of the plantpot.
Try 'em they may work!

Answer 3

Put the plants up high and out of her reach. Many house plants are poisonous. Find out which ones are and either get rid of them entirely or hang them from the ceiling.

As for eating dirt, there's not a lot you can do about that. At least she's getting her minerals. I suppose you could take pictures of her eating dirt by the handful, then show them off to her friends later in life.

Many kids find dirt to be gourmet eats, don't ask why. Probably something to do with the texture. They usually grow out of it before they turn two.

**edit** Yes, people who have an iron deficiency may develop pica and desire to eat dirt (usually the red kind) but this is not usually the case with an 8 month old. Unless there's something significant missing in her diet, chances are she just likes it.

Answer 4

There's nothing wrong with your son - my daughter is 10 months old, she sticks everything in her mouth (except finger foods!?! She expects me to feed her) Now I don't want lots of emails saying I'm an idot etc etc, because this is just what I was told by a health professional - The health visitor to be exact. All babies eat dirt, paper etc because they are trying out new textures they learn by usng their senses, also a little bit of dirt will not hurt a baby because it will actually help to build thier immune system up to common ailments like colds, tummy bugs etc. It's probably not a good idea to let him eat mud pies for dinner but a little muck on his hands wont hurt. Obviously faeces and dead bugs are out out out, but a little dirt, hey ho - we eat dirt all day long in every day life without even knowing it! (sorry to turn your stomach). Don't worry about it, you're doing great with him. Best Wishes Kez x

Answer 5

You have to baby-proof the plants. You either keep the plants in a room the baby isn't allowed in, toss them, or put them up high where an 8 month old can't reach them. Those are really the only things you can do. You can say "No, yucky! Dangerous!" as many times as you want, but if she's gonna eat that dirt by gawd she's gonna go eat that dirt.

Answer 6

Be very careful with plants and children. Your baby could get very sick from eating plants.
The best thing to do it try to move them where she can't reach the dirt. When you see her go for the plants tell her no in a stern voice, pick her up and place her in front of a toy or snack.

Answer 7

i know just how you feel, my baby (12 months) keeps on eating dirt. we just made sure the patio is swept and clean and teher are lots of toys and a area for him to play in without dirt. I always give hima sippy cup when he goes out side and posible even a snack (eg. a string cheeze) i always make sure he has shoes. there really isn't anything else you can do, it's normal so don't worry. Good Luck

Answer 8

This is funny I have a 12mon old and he has never tried dirt but I was talking with someone the other day and he was saying that his sister was like that as a child and her parents took her to the Dr. and she was lacking a vitiman and that dirt tasted good to her cause it had the mineral she was missing in it. Try giving him o/c vitimans or take them to the peditrician. Good Luck!!

Answer 9

An 8 month old should be supervised at all times!! It is normal for them to stick EVERYTHING in their mouths, and that is why you DO NOT leave them alone for anytime! You redirect their attention to a toy or book you are reading her! Some plants are poisonous to children and should be placed out of her reach!

Answer 10

I have a ten month baby I used to give free roam of the house, But let's face it it's too dangerous he's always messing with my computer pulling out the plugs and it's a constant problem. So I've been restraining him more. I am going to put up a baby gate at the door to his bedroom...it's right off the living room. He still can look at me and talk to me I can see him and talk back, but he still has plenty of room to learn to walk and play with his toys. I tried to teach him no but my little one is always testing me, sometimes I even smack his hand and he just looks at me and keeps doing it, so I learned that doesn't work. And telling him no just makes him wanna do it more. I tried redirecting him, pulling him back and giving him something he just screams and hits it and goes right back to what I don't want him to do. and when it's not the computer it's anything else that I don't want him touching. He's not interested in his own stuff.

Answer 11

It is not uncommon for infants to want to put everything in their mouth. They're still exploring their senses. But if your child is specifically going after dirt, she may have pica.

Pica is an eatign disorder that causes a person to have an appetite for non-nutritive substances.

It's not at all uncommon in toddlers, but if your child is under 2 years then she will not likely be diagnosed w/ Pica since putting foreigh substances in her mouth is just common baby behavior.