15 month old won't stop eating stones!!?

Question

In my garden, we have a lot of 'pea shingle' - i.e. small stones that are around the paving slabs on the patio.

My 15 month old son keeps picking up the stones, and putting them in his mouth. I don't think he actually swallows them, he just seems to like having them in his mouth. But I am scared that he could choke on one, or that he will swallow them.

Every time I see one in his mouth, I get it out and tell him a firm no, but he just carries on doing it. He usually just has another one in his hand and pops it straight in! I take them out of his hand as well but the next time I look there are more in his mouth and hands!

I've told him no so many times but it's not making any difference at all!

Any suggestions as to what I should do?

Getting rid of the stones isn't an option. There are literally millions of them! Obviously I closely supervise him when he is playing in the garden, but he is very indepdent and loves walking around and I can't stop him picking up every stone.

Answer 1

I agree with jacqui.  it is better to smack his little hand and tell him NO! then to have to bury him because he choked and you want to spare "hurting" him.....

Answer 2

idk how to stop him but id certainly take him to your GP to make sure he's passed them all , they could give him complications or serious illness .

Answer 3

Well, if you are not going to smack his hand, then i suggest the following!

When he next does it! Say no! In a firm voice! Take stone off him! If that doesn't work take him back inside!

When you next let him out, do the same! And keep him in doors longer! If he keeps doing it you will just have to keep him in!

Otherwise you WILL have a child that has either choked to death or  a child that has some awful stomach bacteria and sickness!

I personally would try the top method and If it doesn't work then I would smack his hand! Even if it did make him cry! A few tears are better than leaving your child in a dangerous situation in which he could choke! Lets face it a few tears can easily be moped away, the other choking option is unthinkable! Good luck!

Answer 4

Aren't toddlers grand? My youngest eats mud...Lovely. Basically just keep doing what you're doing. He obviously likes the feel of them in his mouth and, at this age, the put all sorts in their mouths!!! Good luck LOL!

Answer 5

This will sound harsh but you need to give him a little smack on the bottom when he does it again. He won't understand any other way, your "no" isn't doing anything.

Answer 6

If he's not understanding the 'No' you need to try a different tactic. Of course the 'shock tactic' of choking on one (stopped me putting pennies in my mouth) would be best, but of course, that is what you want to avoid.

My suggestion is, either put him in time out every time he does it, and explain why he's there - or, if you see him do it, get him to spit it out, and then give him a quick, firm, slap on the wrist or bottom - and tell him not to do it.

A punishment like that should reinforce the fact that he is not meant to be putting stones in his mouth. Just a verbal punishment of no, usually achieves nothing without something else to back it up.

Answer 7

Have you thought about PICA? I ate stones as a child and was diagnosed with PICA. I also licked stone walls and ate chalk at school. I'm happy to report that I am completely normal now :-)