Babies explore their world through their mouth, learning via these new textures, tastes, and smells. Though when your toddler continues to mouth objects at age 2-3 and on...parents begin to worry, “why” and “how do I stop this behavior?”
How do I stop my preschooler or toddler from taking objects off the floor and putting them into their mouth?
The best way to stop your child from putting everything in their mouth is to redirect the mouthing behavior by providing a safe alternative (i.e. crunchy snack, chewy necklace), determining the cause of the oral mouthing (i.e. hunger, teething, self-soothing, attention), and if this behavior persists, consult your pediatrician for an occupational therapist referral.
Normal Development of Mouthing
Babies learn oral
When you have a baby, they are sure to put toys and inedible objects in their mouth, which is completely normal. The mouth is the baby’s most sensitive part of the body, therefore when they put objects to the mouth it gives them a better idea of the features of it than their hands or eyes can. All children go through an oral mouthing stage, which actually aids in their development. This simply means that your child is trying to explore and learn about their environment through their senses including touch, taste, and smell. This usually happens around 7-12 months of age as babies have greater control over their hands and will frequently bring objects to their mouth to learn about it.
Mouthing also can serve as a calming mechanism for your child. That’s the reason that pacifiers work so well in soothing a baby. However, when typically developing children become older, they develop improved gross and fine motor skills necessary to explore their environment and develop more mature coping skills to self-soothe.
When do Toddlers Stop Mouthing Objects?
By 24 months to 3 years old, your child should stop putting inedible objects in their mouth. However, this oral mouthing behavior can become oral fixation if they have an obsessive desire and motivation to put inedible objects in their mouth consistently. If this mouthing behavior continues to age 3 and 4, consult their primary care doctor to provide you with additional support in correcting this behavior.
Finding the Reason
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the reason that children “do what they do”, however, this is one of the first things to figure out on in order to decrease oral mouthing. Think of yourself as a sleuth, discovering the inner motivators of your child. This process will take a fair amount of trial and error. However, here are the most common reasons for oral mouthing to get you started:
- Thirst or Hunger: First, explore the option that your child may be hungry or thirsty. Document what time of day the mouthing occurs and determine if there is a pattern. Ex: If your toddler begins oral mouthing their toys around lunch time, this could be their way of telling you they are hungry.
- Teething: Explore your toddler’s mouth and also check in with their pediatrician on which teeth they should be getting in and the best methods to help them soothe their gums. Your child may be getting in some 2nd or 3rd year molars that are irritating them and looking for ways to soothe their sore gums.
- Attention Seeking and Reinforcement: Some children may seek attention from their parent and do not know how to get it. Look at how you may be reacting to them mouthing inedible objects. Are you yelling or putting them in time out? Are you giving them a cookie to munch on? Calmly replace the object with a safe alternative such as a frozen teether or a healthy, crunchy snack such as carrots.
- Self-soothing and regulation: Similar to a baby sucking his thumb, toddlers look for ways to help soothe themselves when upset or dysregulated and will bite or chew objects in their environment to help them calm or fall asleep. Consider using a chewy necklace or alternative to keep handy for your toddler when they are seeking calming input.
Strategies to Reduce Toddler Mouthing Inedible Objects
Stop your toddler from mouthing by replacing the object with a safe alternative such as:
Safe Alternatives:
- Use a safe, non-toxic chewing tool such as chewlry which you can find on Amazon or from Ark Therapeutics
- Use food-grade tubing (available at hardware stores or online) on the end of a pencil or in a loop to make a retractable keychain or clip onto their shirt
Increasing Oral Input to the Mouth:
- Provide chewy and crunchy foods such as dried fruit, bagels, beef/turkey jerky, carrots, apples, crackers
- Provide strong flavored foods
- Provide cold or frozen foods
- Give your child a straw when drinking thicker liquids from their cup such as milk or a smoothie
- Use vibration via a vibrating toothbrush
- Facilitate engagement in general sensory activities throughout the day for self-regulation
Behavioral Strategies:
- Replacing the objects with a safe alternative
- Practice telling your toddler “no” so that they can learn that mouthing inedible objects can be harmful
- Have the child’s sibling model the preferred way to play and redirect when necessary
- Be consistent when you intervene!
How to keep your baby or toddler safe when they engage in mouthing:
- Get down on their level!: Get down to the floor at baby’s eye level in order to properly check that there is nothing unsafe that baby’s tiny hands could reach. Check your floors for loose change, pet food, and small toys that could fit in the babies mouth. Make sure to place chemicals and cosmetics on high shelves out of reach or under lock and key.
- Clean frequently: The best way to keep baby safe is to routinely wash the floors, toys, linens, and surfaces that they come in contact with mild disinfectant to prevent infection and encourage safe mouthing.
- Sibling play: Require older siblings to keep toys with small objects in an area the baby or toddler does not have access to such as their bedroom
- Safe toys: Before you give a toy to your baby or toddler, make sure it is safe for them with no small parts to pull off and choke on like beads or buttons. You can do a quick test by trying to slide the object through a toilet paper roll. If the toy can slide through the roll, it is considered unsafe and able to be choked on
- Take a CPR Class: By taking a CPR course, parents often find that many of their fears around choking are alleviated as they will learn to complete
life saving techniques such as the Heimlich and back blows for babies.
When to Stop Pacifier Use
Pacifier could easily become your replacement strategy for oral mouthing...however, make sure that your baby or toddler is not relying on pacifiers for too long.
The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend weaning children from pacifiers around six to twelve months of age in order to reduce the risk of otitis media (ear infections). It has also been found that adverse dental effects may occur after 24 months of pacifier use though effects are more significant after 48 months. Therefore, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends actively discouraging pacifier use after 4 years of age.
The EASIEST time to wean your child off the pacifier is about 6-7 months of age due to the fact that they have not yet formed an emotional attachment to it yet. However, don’t stress! If your toddler needs their paci to help soothe themselves, it’s okay but make sure to gradually mentally prepare them that the day is coming.
Pacifier Weaning Strategies:
- Replace the pacifier with a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or a toy of choice
- Give them a sticker or small reward on days when the pacifier is not used
- Limit the use to certain situations such as sleep or right before going to preschool or daycare
When Should I Seek Help Regarding Oral Mouthing?
Many children exhibit sensory needs due to hyposensitivity in their mouths and often crave additional input by sucking and chewing on inedible objects. Understandably so, these mouthing tendencies can get in the way of your child’s participation in social interactions with peers and can put them at risk of contracting illness more readily.
If these strategies have not worked for your child, you have additional questions, or if you continue to be concerned about your child mouthing nonfood items, consult your child’s doctor and ask about an occupational therapist evaluation who can assist you in determining the reason for the mouthing behavior. If your child is also ingesting the non-food items like dirt or paper for more than 1 month continually, this may be “pica” and the child’s physician should be consulted.
Best,
Sarah