[Rumply]

As the title says... my DS (21 months) likes to eat rocks, well not eat them but is constantly putting them in his mouth.

Obviously the first thing that worries me is that he may choke on one day. Then there is the teeth he may chip or his mouth could get cut.

He also likes to eat paper and cardboard (particularly off the nappy box). Oh and if if he gets a hold of those paper coated crayones, he will bite the tips off and have a much!!!

Does your child do any of this?

He has done this since he could first get his hand on these things. I thought it was just a phase, but he hasn't grown out of it yet. We have to watch him so carefully when we are outside, well we do anyway, but he is so quick and sometimes it can take a few minutes before we realise there is something in his mouth.

He is cute though, he will show us if there isn't, but if there is he will keep his mouth closed or just run away.

Has your child done this? Did they grow out of it? Is there anything I can do, other than just keep watching and sticking my fingers down his mouth all the time?

Thanks!

[libbylu]

My DS liked to put a piece of tanbark from the park in his mouth every time we went there. It was very frustrating! Rocks are probably easier to swallow though, being heavier.
Maybe you could buy a heap of baby chew rings or teethers and encourage him to chew on those.

[Livsh]

My DS was eating sand at the beach this last weekend, seemed to really enjoy it! I tried to stop him but after two days of the Easter weekend at home with 3 year old twins I had lost the will to fight!

[tel2]

My DS is 2 has a language delay as well as oral sensory issues, so yes everything goes in the mouth. Usually the mouthing of objects stops at around 18 months but unfornuately with us due to Ds oral sensory issues, it is persisiting a lot longer. I've mentioned this to his pediatrician and he isn't to concerned and says he should hopefully grow out of it, however did order a lot of blood tests for DS to check whether there is a medical reason why he eats non edible things. We haven't got the results back yet, hopefully in the next few weeks. My advice to you, if it continues beyond his 2nd birthday, go see your gp and perhaps get a referal to see a pediatrician just to rule out whether there is a medical issue surrounding him eating rocks.

All the best

[Guest_tigerdog_*]

Most kids do this at that age, as long as he isn't actually eating them I wouldn't worry. There is a condition called pica where people crave and eat non-edible items but it doesn't seem like he could have this if he's only putting them in his mouth but not eating them.

[Leha]

My DS is the same. I watch him like a hawk but I can't always prevent things going into his mouth. The other day I found a button from DDs dress in his nappy. I was wondering where that button went. Fortunately it was small and passed through without any complications.

Sorry no advise just sharing my pain with you.....

This post has been edited by Leha: 12/04/2012, 06:25 PM

[Rumply]

Thanks for your responses. I guess we wait and see!
He is pretty good with things around the house... last night he found a bit of foil (bloody easter egg wrapper), and ran away with it. Daddy found him and asked what was in his mouth and he told daddy "garbage"..... awesome!!!