Pica (eating non-edible items)

Blocking is when an adult puts their hand on top of the child’s hands to “block” them from putting an item in their mouth. How and when you block is important:

• Use the least amount of force necessary to prevent your child from placing the item in their mouth. 
• Attempt to block their hands before your child gets the item near their mouth.
• At the start, you may find your child has a negative response such as aggression or tantrums. Read our information about managing difficult behaviour for newborns, toddlers and young children.

Your child may think that everything is edible. If this is the case, teach your child how to identify food from non-food items. This is usually done using rewards and pictures and is often called discrimination training.

1. Sit your child at a table with a plate on a coloured placemat. 
2. Place a few non-food items on the table.
3. Place a your child's favourite food on their plate.
4. Reward your child for eating from the plate and not putting the non-food items in their mouth. 

You can also try a sorting task where you ask your child to sort objects into edible and non-edible items. 

Frequent snacks may help provide your child with other options of things to eat instead of non-food items. It may also act as an alternative form of oral stimulation. Try making a snack available on a set schedule, such as every 30 minutes or 1 hour. Tell your child that they can have a snack but do not try to make them eat it.