Does anyone know why my 19 month old sucks on fabric materials such as his shirt, blankets, etc.?

Question

He just recently started doing this. I first noticed when I got him out of his carseat and his shirt was soaked. He layed in my bed watching cartoons and soaked a good part of my comforter. This morning he came into the kitchen and grabbed my dish rag and immediately started sucking on it. He drinks plenty of water(he loves water). He eats well. I just wanted to see if maybe someone else has experienced this same thing or if someone knows what causes it. Please serious answers only.

Answer 1

Either because it is comforting to him or because he is teething. Try getting a clean, damp cloth that he uses only for this and let him go to town, it definitely will not hurt him. Just watch to make sure he does not choke on it.

Answer 2

My daughter is now 20 months and does the same thing with her blankie. I was told by my mother that i did it too... its a comfort thing. Such as using a pacifier or sucking their thumb.

It is TOTALLY normal and nothing to worry about. Just be sure to check for loose threads or anythign that could pose a choking hazzard.

Answer 3

My guess would be he is teething. There is not much you can do about that, but see if he'll take a teether or pacifier instead of cloth. Try dipping the pacifier in something sweet so that he'd be more apt to suck on it. That worked with my stepdaughter.

Answer 4

My son does this still and he is 5. He started right after he stopped breastfeeding. My daughter sucks her thumb and both of them are ruining their teeth. *sigh*

Answer 5

My oldest did this for a while. Drove me nuts. It's normal.

Will he take a pacifier instead when he wants to suck like this?

Answer 6

My 20 month old does this as well, I think he's cutting his eye teeth..that may be the case with yours..

Answer 7

just a stage might be teething my son likes to chew on shoes