22 Month Daughter Eats Everything She Shouldn't

don't stress too much...kids need that mouthing tactile sensory stimulation to learn and explore their world...if you don't direct it to choices you feel are approved, they will put everything in their mouth until they feel satisfied to explore it in a different way.

If you are strict about what goes in, then you need to give them an approved item at the time of taking away the non-approved item.

There are LOTS of tactile toys out there, I would invest in those and when she's exploring something you don't like, swap it...but also try to really think about it first, because eating Crayons isn't going to harm her, they are non-toxic and after a while she will discover on her own that crayons don't taste good and will stop. :) Trash is another thing...I wouldn't want my kids eating trash, but if it were MY trash and something clean like paper, I wouldn't worry so much :)

Hi A., each time you see ser put something in her mouth tap her hands and tell her know and take out of her mouth wht ever she put in there, if she is eating crayons take the crayons away from her. I used to eat crayons, errasers, paste, match tips after they had been lit, don't ask me why, I was a kid. I didn't eat trash. Oh and Time out is not discipline, that's why it doesn't work. J. L.

It's normal for kids up to three to explore the world with their mouths. (This is the reason they make toys with the label "not for children under three"). When they do put things in their mouths, just tell them the proper way to use it, and take it away. Otherwise, just keep everything up high, or put child proof locks on them. (Good thing crayons are non-toxic).

Okay, the first thing I need to say is that she's still a baby and THEY DON'T GET PUNISHED!! She's still learning about her world and that's what they do---put things in their mouths! It's your job to make sure she's in a babyproofed area where there isn't anything unsafe she can put into her mouth. When she's not in that area/room/home, you need to watch her like a hawk to make sure she doesn't put anything unsnafe into her mouth. Second, you need to invest in a couple baby books so that you know what to expect as a mom. Seriously.

Hello,
I have a son who is a little over 2 1/2 years old and he still puts things in his mouth. For my son, which may be the case for your daughter, is that he is very sensate. Meaning he is very sensory oriented. He likes to use his senses to make sense of things in his brain. I have come to learn this is quite common and nothing to be worried about. I know it can gross you out, but you have to understand that her brain is discovering what is around her through her senses. Discipline will not help because it is almost something out of her control or her understanding. When my son and I sit down to color with crayons he is always putting them in his mouth. I just gently push his hand away from his mouth and then he stops and looks at the crayon in his hand almost confused of why he was just doing that. Then after a few times of doing that, not saying a word to him but gently stopping him from putting it in his mouth he tends to become more aware of it and tries to stop himself. This will be something she eventually grows out of, you just have to deal with the "grossness" of it all for a while. My husband and I joke that he is building his immune system up. You may get nice nasty looks from other moms when she does something like this around other people, but just know she is unique and this is how she learns and understands her world. Make is fun and exciting!! We play with whip cream on the table, ect. we give him many opportunities to use his senses to learn with things that are non toxic or won't harm him!!! It has become a lot of fun!! We feel like kids again ourselves!! Hope this helps you :)

Don't punish her. Buy a good vacuum and use it frequently.

oh calm down :) I know it is hard to watch but return in time a little bit or travel outside the us.... your baby needs to build an immune system.. the best way to do this is to let her have contact with life around her. Give her a minute to taste/ feel with her mouth, then wrinkle up your face expressing yuck...say it, and soon she will too. laugh a little tell her it is not food and hand her something that is ...like a grape or a popcorn :)

I have raised all of mine with the old danish saying " you need 7 pounds of dirt a year to survive" and guess what they have all proven to be highly immune to the most common infections and pains.

Love H.

I guess at this age you will be keeping an eye on her all the time. put things out of reach that you don't want in her mouth. It is a natural developmental stage for kids to put things in their mouth. The bad taste will probably be enough consequence!!

You might want to counsult with your doctor to make sure that your daughter does not have mineral deficiencies. Additionally, it could be PICA - it is a psychological diagnosis. You might want to read up on the subject to make certain that you know how to handle the discipline aspect.
Good luck to you.

Well that's a different one -carpet!! But I'm writing to suggest maybe NOT giving a consequence for eating the bad stuff - but instead, giving rewards for eating what's appropriate! Perhaps stop saying anything about what she's "eating" because I'm sure she's not swalling a bunch of crayon. Two year old's (some earlier than others) love to rock the boat when it comes to doing what THEY want as opposed to what you want, so it might be for that reason as well, so the less you say negatively, the better. Focus on CHOICES for her (i.e., would you like the cheese or the peanut butter, or the white dress or the red pants?). Perhaps if she feels she has more control, she won't try shocking you with what she puts in her mouth so much. Also, a reward chart for NOT putting these things in her mouth (with an inexpensive prize). Good luck!
M. C.

My son is 1 1/2 and eats pretty much anything too. I just take it out and say "No eat". His favorite is snails in our backyard. I have heard though, so maybe check this out, that eating carpet can be an iron deficiency. Good luck and hope thing get easier, for both of us! :)

My almost 22-month old daughter does the same. She's also been playing with her ears more so I think she has more teeth coming in. I grew up knowing that a little germs is good for the immune system so I don't worry too much about most of the things she puts in her mouth. I believe crayons are non-toxic anyway.

PICA?!?!?!?! Oh my goodness, I haven't met a baby who doesn't put everything into their mouths. My son eats the carpet too, crayons, old pieces of food that he hid away for later...EVERYTHING. It's just what they do. I always had to keep a close eye on my kids because it never mattered how much I vacuumed, they always found something. Just watch her and try to keep dangerous things out of reach or behind locked doors.

Don't listen to some of these weird "sky is falling" ladies. Everything is an ER visit to some people...

We had the same problem with our son. Turned out, he has PICA. We did some research and spoke with his doctor. For our son, the problem seems to be as a result of a nutrient deficiency. We give him a daily multivitamin, and because of this, the problem is GREATLY reduced. I'd give that a try. The other thing we did was write down all of the things we had witnesses our son eat (including dirt, rocks, paper products of all kinds, crayons, etc.) and give it to our doctor. Good luck!

She is too young to understand what she should put in her mouth and what she shouldn't. All babies and young toddlers do this; it's a way to explore new stuff. Teething just increases their desire to gnaw on things. Don't punish her because she's too young to "get it." Instead, do all you can to keep anything inappropriate out of her reach, vaccuum often and just try to be patient. This is an exhausting stage but that's the best you can do. If she's teething, give her something appropriate to put in her mouth when you catch her with something yucky. good luck

She is missing a vitamin. Most of the things you are discribing have dirt in them. There is a spacific vitamin in dirt (I don't remember what it is). Ask your doctor or look it up online.

As soon as she starts to get it, you will see a difference in what she eats.

She will eventually stop doing this. In the meantime, don't punish her for being normal, just keep an eye on her and when you see her putting non food into her mouth, gently remove it and remind her "we don't eat that."

Putting things in their mouths is normal to explore their world, but actually eating it is a different story. My son is 20 months old and he doesn't put these things in his mouth anymore - but still does with some of his toys & sometimes markers. I wouldn't worry unless your daughter is actually eating these things, then talk to your doctor about Pica, which is a condition where children eat non-nutritive things like dirt, paper, etc.

PICA can apply to pregnant women and small children But don't jump to any conclusions, look it up or ask your ped. Most likely it's a "phase".

My best friends daughter will be 3 in mid October. and up till this last summer would eat mouthfuls of sand and little rocks from the park ands chance she could. I mean mouthfuls. She seems to subsiding from this so just hang on. This to shall pass!

Hi A., I have a son who is 2 1/2 and he still puts things in his mouth. He has gotten better but every now and then he will still do it. Almost all children do this, it's just how they learn. Give it time and it will pass. I wouldn't be too concerned, just make sure you are watching her really well! God Bless you and your little one!

Try being really exagerated about it, like "Ewwwww, that is sooo yucky!" You might tell her to ask for food if she is hungry.

I agree, at under 2 it is normal. If she is still doing it at 4 I would be concerned. You just have to try to watch and keep giving her appropriate things to chew on:) She should grow out of it eventually...after she is done with exploring with her mouth:)
H.

A.:
You may want to give her little things to chew on of various textures. Really time out is not good as she is just exploring her world. Try a bunch of toys and other things that she can chew on, like a frozen bagel, pretzels or baby snacks, and cheerios or kix. When she's done with the crayon just put them up. My son loved to eat playdough gross so I would make sure to make homemade playdough as much as possible and take it away as soon as he was done playing. A little crayon, paper, or playdough is nontoxic and I'm sure its totally normal for toddlers and preschools to try them out.

It might be his eating habits. Pregnant women eat weird things too sometimes, but that's called PICA(sp?).I have a friend whose son is 4 and he still does this. She has to watch him very closely. Talk to your dr. because I am not sure there is anything you can really do, other than try to change what you feed him to include more vitamin nutrient foods. Good luck!

Well I wonder what vitamin deficiency they have if they eat Toilet Paper, that's what mine loves to eat. Actually she likes to rip little pieces off and chew on them like gum. LOL.
My 16 mo old does the same thing, she favors paper but pretty much anything new or interesting. I too was hoping this would be over soon, but I guess not, it sounds like most of you are saying this goes on through age 2. Sigh.

At this age, just redirect her to something that's more appropriate for her to play with, and take the object out of her mouth so she understands that's not where it belongs. I agree with the posters who said this is how they explore their world. I'm highly skeptical that it's a vitamin or mineral deficiency, but I suppose it's always a possibility. It's just that our diet really isn't lacking in most essential nutrients, even if we don't eat that well all the time. And I'm sure you're giving her plenty of healthful foods! At age two, you can really communicate with your daughter. When she puts something in her mouth, speak to her as you would an adult (almost). Tell her, "That's dirty, it does not belong in your mouth." Make a yucky face to reinforce it. She'll get it! And, just in case she really needs something in her mouth because of those last couple of teeth coming in, give her a teether.

Hi A.:
Your daughters actions are quite typical for her age group.All toddlers love picking up little things they find,and the mouth is the first place it goes.Consider Yourself fortunate. Most toddlers,go for the Bugs and (Mud Pies)lol. This behavior,is not a disapline issue. She is not misbehaving,or doing this to annoy the two of you.She's simply experimenting and using what motor skills she has developed,and learned. Time outs or raising your voices in disaproval,at this age,will be in vain.Redirect her instead. Take the object nicely,and tell her (Yuck)taste yucky!! Then sit her down with something that is edible. A few cheerios or something. She needs to be shown what goes into the mouth and what doesn't. You are her teachers. I wish you and your darlin daughter the best.