Babies and toddlers love to explore, and that means putting everything they can find into their mouths. As a result, they end up eating a variety of things they shouldn’t, from poop to dirt, boogers to pet food. When this happens, parents often get worried, and rightly so. However, it’s essential to stay calm and take the right steps to protect your child’s health. This article will guide parents through what they need to do when their baby eats something inedible.

What Happens If Your Baby Eats Poop?

The first and most common thing babies eat that they shouldn’t is poop. While it may sound disgusting, it’s natural for babies to explore their environment with their mouths. However, eating poop can cause food poisoning-like symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. If your baby has eaten a small amount of their poop, it’s likely not harmful. Still, parents should keep an eye out for any signs of illness. If symptoms do occur, contact your pediatrician to discuss the best course of action.

What To Do When Your Kid Eats Pet Food?

Some kids love to eat pet food, and while small amounts of pet food are unlikely to cause any harm, it’s essential to be cautious. Some pet food has been linked to salmonella outbreaks, so parents should be aware of the symptoms and contact their pediatrician if they occur. Parents should also ensure that pet food is kept out of their child’s reach.

What If Your Kid Keeps Eating Boogers?

While it’s unsightly, eating boogers is not a significant medical concern. However, parents should teach their kids not to pick their nose and eat their boogers for social reasons.

What About When a Kid Eats Dirt, Bugs, and Other Things in the Garden?

Eating dirt can be healthy for children as it helps them build their microbiomes. However, parents should ensure the dirt is clean and doesn’t contain fertilizers or feces, which can cause food poisoning-like symptoms. Similarly, most bugs are nontoxic and are unlikely to cause serious issues. Parents should keep an eye on their kids and ensure they don’t eat anything dangerous.

What To Do When a Kid Eats Wild Mushrooms, Berries, and Houseplants?

Wild mushrooms, berries, and houseplants can be incredibly toxic to little systems. Parents should immediately call poison control and provide a picture of the offending flora or fungus in question to help experts identify the risk.

What If You Find Your Kid Eating Your Weed?

Marijuana decriminalization is occurring in many states, and as a result, parents should be careful about their kids eating weed. Little kids’ systems aren’t ready for the dosage in weed, and in extreme cases, their breathing could become too shallow to provide enough oxygen. If your child eats your weed, call poison control immediately to ensure they receive the right treatment.

What To Do When a Baby Eats Their Own Spit-Up?

It’s common for young babies to regurgitate food and re-consume it. This is mostly a product of the newborn digestive system being slightly wonky. Parents should make sure they know the difference between spit-up and vomiting. If a child is eating their vomit or vomiting a lot, they should contact their pediatrician.

A Note on Pica in Toddlers

For some children, eating non-food-related items could be linked with developmental disability or early brain injury. In these cases, the condition is called pica. Parents can differentiate pica from normal developmental exploration if their child persists in eating specific non-food stuff despite attempts to curb the behavior. If parents notice this behavior continuing past an age when it’s appropriate to explore things