#asktheexperts Clay eats a lot.

Question

Accepted Answer

Eating clay or other non-food items, known as pica, can be a concern for a child’s health. Here are the steps you should take if your 3-year and 8-month-old child is eating clay:

### Immediate Steps
1. **Monitor for Symptoms**:
   - **Check for Signs of Illness**: Monitor your child for any signs of stomach pain, constipation, or other gastrointestinal issues.
   - **Watch for Toxicity Symptoms**: Ensure the clay doesn't contain harmful substances like lead or other chemicals.

2. **Remove Access**:
   - **Eliminate Access to Clay**: Keep any clay or non-food items out of your child’s reach to prevent further ingestion.

### Medical Consultation
1. **Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment**:
   - **Discuss the Behavior**: Explain the situation to your pediatrician, including how often it occurs and any other unusual behaviors.
   - **Nutritional Assessment**: Your doctor may check for nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron and zinc, as deficiencies in these minerals can sometimes cause pica.
   - **Developmental and Behavioral Evaluation**: The doctor might evaluate if there are any developmental or behavioral conditions contributing to the pica.

### Behavioral Interventions
1. **Positive Reinforcement**:
   - **Encourage Healthy Eating**: Praise and reward your child for choosing appropriate food items to eat.
   - **Create a Structured Meal Schedule**: Ensure regular meals and snacks so your child doesn’t resort to eating non-food items out of hunger.

2. **Distraction and Substitution**:
   - **Offer Safe Alternatives**: Provide safe items to play with and explore, like playdough made from edible ingredients.
   - **Engage in Activities**: Keep your child engaged in activities that keep their hands and mind occupied.

### Nutritional Interventions
1. **Balanced Diet**:
   - **Ensure a Nutritious Diet**: Provide a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Include foods high in iron, zinc, and other nutrients to address potential deficiencies.

### Safety Measures
1. **Childproofing**:
   - **Keep Harmful Items Out of Reach**: Ensure that all non-food items, especially those that could be harmful, are kept out of reach of your child.
   - **Supervision**: Supervise your child closely, especially during playtime, to prevent ingestion of non-food items.

### Long-Term Management
1. **Follow-Up**:
   - **Regular Check-Ups**: Keep regular appointments with your pediatrician to monitor your child’s health and development.
   - **Professional Support**: If pica persists, consider consulting a child psychologist or a specialist in pediatric behavioral health.

Addressing pica involves a combination of monitoring, medical evaluation, nutritional adjustments, and behavioral interventions. It's important to consult with healthcare professionals to ensure your child's health and development are on track.