It's completely normal for kids to play with dirt and put anything in their mouths. For a toddler, eating soil could seem fairly natural, but doing so can be harmful to their health and well-being. Parents frequently ask how to prevent their children from eating soil. Not to worry. You can simply solve this problem with a little patience and some advice.
Why Do Kids Eat Soil?
It is only natural for a child to want to explore everything around him or her while they are still growing. Everything that comes into their nearby surroundings will be touched, felt, tasted, seen, and smelled by the child. However, while exploring in mud, dirt, or soil, excitement can occasionally turn harmful. The sight of a toddler consuming wall paint is one that parents frequently witness. Because of their incredibly weakened immune systems, kids are more susceptible to infections and other pollutants in the soil.
What are the Disadvantages of Your Child Eating Soil?
However, if this issue persists through the earliest stages of development, it causes the parents great concern. It is reasonable to believe that a child chewing cardboard and paper is common. However, pediatricians and industry professionals categorize this behavior as a disorder known as Pica if it occurs in a preschooler. An iron, zinc, or calcium shortage may cause this condition. A kid with pica has an impulse to eat a range of non-food items.
Pesticides and other chemicals are widely used today and help to improve the soil. Significant health dangers from plastic residues in the soil include choking and hormone imbalances. In addition, here are some more health issues that eating soil could bring to your child:
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Abdominal Pain
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Constipation
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Loss of appetite
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Diarrhea
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Lead Poisoning
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Vomiting
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Various types of infections
Is Eating Soil Good for Kid’s Health?
It's only natural for parents to worry about the bad side of things. But as a parent, you should be impartial. Think about whether there are any benefits to children eating mud before looking for a cure.
Helps Relieving Stomach Pain
Kaolin, a mineral found in white clay, is used as a component in medications for stomach aches. However, too much Kaolin might make a child constipated and unsafe.
Gets Minerals in the Body
The soil is rich in minerals. So, theoretically, eating soil might partially satisfy the body's need for minerals.
Helps Digestion
Some soil bacteria are helpful for digestion. When a child's body contains these bacteria, their digestive system will work better.
Strengthens Immunity
If the child's immune system is properly educated, it will function more effectively. In general, it releases antibodies to combat specific bacteria or germs. If the immune system is not developed early on, it may lead to a number of autoimmune illnesses.
How to Stop Your Kid from Eating Soil?
One of the many common worries parents have about their children is that they eat soil. Being curious about their environment, children have a natural tendency to do this.
The following are some steps you can take to stop your child from engaging in these kinds of activities:
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Dust your home thoroughly to get rid of any dirt or dust.
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Equally harmful is a little child that eats hair, so watch out for
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If you have pets, keep their waste out of your garden.
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Potted plants should not be within your child's grasp.
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Place a fence around your garden, and while the child is playing there, keep an eye on them.
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Most importantly, teach your child the value of good hygiene and washing their hands after playing in the dirt.
Also, children who eat soil often have nutritional deficits. Children eating earth, according to some medical professionals, may signify a calcium shortage. If required, see your child's pediatrician before starting your kid on vitamins.
Although the cause is not fully understood, stomach worms have been known to encourage kids to consume soil on occasion. You can speak with your child's doctor once again and provide a course of deworming medicine. Talk to your youngster and reiterate the need for them to avoid eating dirt often. When they pay attention to you, you can reward them with toys or other items they enjoy.
Keep a close eye on your child anytime they are playing in the dirt because you now know how to prevent a kid from eating soil. Consult a doctor right away if your kid feels sick after consuming mud. Evasive actions will go a long way toward ensuring that your kid recovers properly from any sickness caused by eating soil.
