Needing Help with 3Year Old Oral Fixation

It could be normal, but have you had her checked for Pica? It's basically where a person has this strong desire to eat non-edible things. It could be potential deadly. I think it is called Pica (I remember the name of it means magpie in Latin because magpies are known for eating nonedible stuff). I would definately have her evaluated. If she isn't actually trying to eat the stuff, maybe she hasn't grown out of the oral stage. I'd have her checked out by Alta California Regional in that case. They are free.

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This is a toughy. Both of my daughters (now ages 5 & 7) would put everything in their mouths! It wasn't until pre-school (at age 4) with both of them that it ended - and only because I told them that the teacher wouldn't allow them to stay in class if they didn't stop putting stuff in their mouths. I told the teachers what I had said, and, fortunately, they played along. It only took a few days to get both of them to stop!

And I do disagree with the "since you are both working full time" issue somebody brought up. I am a stay-at-home mom and both of my girls did this. I hope you aren't beating yourself up over working - it has nothing to do with that! I don't know why some kids are so oral and others aren't. Good luck to you! It's a tough habit to break!

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Have you looked into sensory integration issues? Putting everything in their mouths can be a sign of oral sensory under-responsiveness, and there are tools that can help (mostly things to put in their mouths that are safe and acceptable. Check out the book Sensational Kids for more info. Good luck!

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There is a simple blood test that could tell you, but it is probably just an oral fixation. In the US, anemia rates are very low.

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Hi Vaneesa, If your daughter is NOT eating that stuff, it is probably something passing --like getting your attention when you are busy. However, if she is eating that stuff a lot of the time, I suggest you ask your pediatrician to assess for pica. Most likely is nothing but your email implies that you are concerned about it so I thought to mention it. Regards, A.

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it's totally normal for some kids to get stuck in the oral phase...I know of one little girl that was stuck in the oral phase until she was 6 years old...and she's AOK now...but she would put any and everything in her mouth...I saw her mostly at preschool and she'd put glue, dirty wash water, paint, etc...she'd drink it like water...

try not to stress too much it might be a while, but this too shall pass :)

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I would call your doctor pretty quickly...I recall being asked in a health survey if my daughter ever ate or craved non-food items. When I asked about it the hurse said if kids crave these strange type items that it could be the signs of some serious problems/ disorders. Call and get some advice. Good luck to you.

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I have a situation similar except my daughter doesn't ingest items. My 4 yo likes to lick things and put them in her mouth. No matter where we are -- public bathroom, bus, our house, etc., she puts things in her mouth, sucks them or licks them. We've talked to her about it. We've talked to the pediatrician and got no results. They just said she was very oral and she'd outgrow it. That was 2.5 years ago. We try to have patience--but we often get frustrated. She cries and says she's sorry but 5 minutes later, she's licking the side of the counter. She doesn't even realize she's doing this stuff. Have you asked your pediatrician? I can't see what they're going to say to you besides to have patience and pray she doesn't eat anything dangerous....Good Luck.

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I would call the doctor and ask them.

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Hi,
I would talk to your pediatrician. You might want to look up 'Pica' and causes. Maybe she is missing some important vitamins from her diet.
Best of luck!

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V. it sounds to me since you both work full time not enough time is being spent with your girls. I think her fixation is a need for you and your husband. Maybe during the week you can take an hour each day after work or every other day and spend time with your daughter, first one day with you then one day with your husband. If this doesn't work then she could be lacking something in her diet. Good luck.

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just talk to her and tell her they are bad for her and just explain to her what is food and what is not food tell her it will make her tummy hurt if she puts things in her mouth that are not food hope it helps

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Is the actually eating them or just putting them in her mouth? If she's actually trying to eat these items, I would have her checked out by a nutritionist. If you are a WIC participant, mention it to them. While these are not the usual items that one craves/eats, I'm wondering if your daughter could possibly have PICA (a condition where people eat/crave things like laundry soap and dirt or clay). If she's not eating them then I would just gently but firmly let her know that these items don't belong in her mouth and do some childproofing so she can't have access to things that don't belong in her mouth if you can't trust her to stop doing it.

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Hi V.,
I also have a child with an oral fixation. He chews everything he can get into his mouth. In school it has been a problem with pencils (the eraser, then the metal band around the eraser, finally the wood of the pencil!) When he was four, we asked his pediatrician and she recomended teaching him to chew sugarless gum. She doesn't normally recommend this, but our son was an extreme case. It has helped dramatically. Ironically, he doesn't swallow the gum, and he doesn't play with it. Also, when he started kindergarten we sent a rubbery toddler spoon for him to chew on when he felt he needed to chew. Above all, please ask your pediatrician before doing anything (like the gum chewing). Also, since gum chewing is not allowed at school, our son's teacher explained to the class that this was special gum that his Dr. told him to chew. The other kids never mention it now. Your daughter is a bit young for this, but we started a dialogue with our son, when he was 5, about the dangers of smoking (we were worried that this oral fixation would put him at a higher risk for smoking later). Good luck and just know that you are not alone in this frustrating phase!
C.

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she may have Pica- take her in to get tested.

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Are you sure it isn't teething? Try one of those water-filled teething rings that you can keep in the refrigerator & see if it helps.

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