Is My Daughter Vitamin Deficient

I think this is a phase. I kept asking people when my daughter was going to stop sticking stuff in her mouth! I put all the things that were unhealthy up high. Except!! One day I ran to the store and left her with her daddy, I was gone for like 5 minutes, when I came back my husband was on the phone in the kitchen and my daughter was in the living room with white stuff all over her face and hands and she had the most horrible look on her face. I panicked and was frantically trying to figure out what my daughter had eaten, after further investigation I realized she had eaten my vanilla deodorant!! I called poison control ASAP and they said it shouldnt hurt her.....phew! I was freaking out, and Daddy got in BIG trouble! I asked my daughter why she did it and she said "I smelt it, and then I ate it!"....lol. It sure didnt taste how it smelled. We still joke about it today, but it sure wasnt funny when I thought it could hurt her. So to make a long story short, I think if it smells good they want to eat it. This phase is scary, you have to watch them constantly and keep everything out of their reach! Shes probably not deprived of nutrients unless shes underweight or not eating right, then you should discuss that with her doctor, but I think every kids goes through this. Good Luck!

T.,

You just may be right. My Dad tells me a story of when one of his older brothers was very young, he would sit in their front yard and eat dirt. My Grandma took him to the Dr. and asked what was going on. The Dr. gave her some vitamin supplements and he stopped. So you may want to let your Dr. know this and see what can be done. ls

At this age kids are REALLY curious and one way for them to explore their world is with their taste buds. Don't over annalize this. She is just exploring in her own little way. She just needs a little coaching on make is ok to eat and what is not.

I used to eat bugs from the window sill...Lol. I think it's a phase, cause I don't eat them anymore. ;)

MY pediatricians take on vitamins was if giving them to your child made you feel better do it, but they were not really necesary.
I know that there is somthing called Pica I think that makes you crave non food items if you are vitamin deficiant but I think it is probably a case of curiosity more than anything.
Sounds crazy but my mom gave both me and my sister a bit of baby magic on our tongue when we were getting lotion on, I did the same with my kids, not sure about other lotion and I wouldn't like guzzle it LOL but it does taste not "Unpleasent"...lots of textures different smells, it is the age of discovery and one of the senses is to taste things. My youngets son bit a bar of soap the other night, he got a very bad surprise! It smelled good, but it tasted bad...he has never been so good about letting me brush his teeth as he was that night!
I would not worry, you can buy vitamins over the counter, most pharmacists are very knowledgable and helpful if you don't want to consult your ped...might talk to your daughter about what is safe and not safe to eat just to be on the safe side..even though she is very little they understand a lot more than we give them credit for a lot of times. So if you catch her eating petroleum jelly I would say icky! Not food = )
Good luck!
B.

I think vitamin supplementation is a good thing regardless. My son has been on vitamins since he was 12months and now he's almost 3! The issue with your daughter is a tough one, I would also say ask your doctor and I hope he/she encourages you to give your daughter vitamins. My son is not a great eater, very picky...but at least I know he is still getting nutrients that he needs everyday! I would be happy to recommend a great vitamin if you so choose.
Good luck,
V.