18mo eating sand

Hi! My 18mo still puts things in her mouth. Lately it has been sand… she knows it’s ‘wrong’ and looks at me as she is doing it. I feel like she would shovel it in if I wasn’t there to take her away from it. Wherever there is sand, it’s in her mouth in a split second!!! Not sure whether to get her iron tested - friends have suggested ‘Pica’? Or is this developmentally normal? Thanks 🙏

Show your support

My 18 month old does this too., shovels it in. It’s only just started., got him a sand pit play area for Christmas now I’m regretting the present choice

Literally!!!!!! We got a sandpit and then she discovered shovelling it in… now she won’t stop! She knows I say ‘no’…

I feel like most toddlers eat sand. Does she eat foods that contain iron?

@Ella she eats eggs, meat, avocado, whole grains

My 18 month old hates sand and refuses to go on it or touch it.

My 18mo eats it by the handful 😅 started a few months ago and had gotten better over time and exposure but he'll still try a couple of handfuls when he can