Why does my toddler eat ice?

He might just think it's fun and easier to play with than water... sort of a comfort thing like sucking his thumb or a pacifier. If you really don't want him to have so much ice, you can try giving him his own "special" tray of ice and then not fill it full before sticking it back in the freezer each time. Or fill a cup with several pieces of ice AND water and telling him no more ice until all the water is gone... use less ice and more water over time. I don't think there's really anything wrong, unless he is iron deficient like others have suggested. Good luck!

Well, ice isn't bad for you or him, so give him as much as he wants. He could be teething, or new teeth could be coming in, and it hurts, so ice soothes it. Also, maybe he has a liking for ice, so don't worry about it. I would go to a doctor if he doesn't stop in about a year or two. He could also be going through a stage or something, where he's e ating weird things. Give the situation some time, and go along with his silly acts, a little while longer.

Well, it might not be anything, but it could be something.

I found the following link to a condition called Pica. This condition can range from children eating ice, leaves, to more toxic substances.

Do you live in a place where your home has lead paint?

Read the article at the link I gave you. Make sure you read it all, there are more detailed descriptions the further you read. I would also take your son to a doctor to see what they say.

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1798.htm

It is very possible that I am wrong, but when I went to the doctor and told him I was,not only eating,CRAVING ice. He tested me for anemia and sure enough,An iron supplement and 3days later I hadn't wanted it again. It's just a suggestion...Hope you can figure it out b/c it is very damaging to your teeth. I've had 3 new cavities just since all of this came about and apparently eating ice chips your enamel and makes you much more prone to cavities...Good Luck

There is nothing wrong with eating ice,you may want to get some cool aid and pour it in the trays for him so he can enjoy it better I know my niece was the same way when she was around that age and now she steel has to have a glass with ice.

I'd get his teeth checked by the dentist and have a word with your doctor to discount anything untoward. If there is nothing wrong and it still bothers you then dont have it in the house, he can't eat it if its not there. Make sure a drink is always on hand in case he's thirsty.

is he teething? cold sooths sore gums.

any fever? a gum infection should cause a fever.

does he have problems eating warm solid foods? again gum issues would make it difficult to eat solids unless they were numbing as ice.

try ice cream if the water is not it. he may just like cold things. ice is not bad for him, but you may want to get a pop-sicle mold so that the ice can be either flavored or at least shaped safely. Regular ice cubes can have such sharp corners.

eating ice is in many situations related to particular nutrition deficiencies in human beings of each and all ages, yet virtually consistently it really is a very, very minor difficulty. because your newborn is so youthful, i'd element out it to the youngster's common practitioner next time you've an appointment merely in case, notwithstanding it really is maximum likely no longer some thing extreme or some thing a moderate eating regimen replace ought to no longer restore.

He may have an eating disorder called PICA which is the eating of nonnutrional substances such as dirt, clay, ice, sand stones pebbles, etc. It most frequently observed in children 18-24 months. Consult your pediatrician.

All children go through funny eating stages,i liked ketchup sandwiches,and thats all i ate morning noon and night,i was 4 at the time,im 31 now......he will grow out of it.......an idea get him to make his own icecream or icepoles,using fresh fruit or vegatables apple and carrot and mango juice is a good combo and he wont notice the carrot flavor