toddler likes to lick soap?

Question

my daughter is 22 months old and at this stage she is very attatched to me she wont even let me go to the toilet by myself let alone leave the room for any other reason,but my question is is that when i go to the toilet she follows me and when im done i was my hands and while washing my hands she likes to touch the water i dont mind she can go for it.BUT she also rubs the soap then licks it.and she keeps on doing this EVERYTIME she likes the taste of soap??? i dont know why she would i tryed some on my tounge just to c what its like and its gross. is it normal for kids to like the taste of soap??

when she takes some soap in her hand she looks at me for my reaction and then she pulls a (sneaky face) like she is trying to hide it from me.lol and starts to head for the door..

Answer 1

My son was also very clingy at that age. That sure was difficult. My suggestion would be to get liquid hand soap that she won't be able to reach. I don't think it's a good habit as when she finally does start regular hand washing on her own, she may ingest an unhealthy amount. Try breaking the habit or change to a brand she won't like. Like Irish Spring, YUK.

Answer 2

I brushed my teeth with soap (bar not liquid) while I was pregnant because of my gingivitis and food aversions.

To me it didn't taste bad, not really good either, just kinda there. And kids do taste things differently than adults, that is why they drink things like perfume.

So the amount she is eating isn't going to hurt her, though you may want to consider buying perfume and dye free soap and having her own bar so it isn't germy. You can even let her brush her teeth with it, some dentists think it is better than toothpaste. It is definitly better for her teeth than the kids toothpaste that has sugar in it.

Answer 3

I read the advice with mixed feelings. I especially don't like the advice of 'not reacting'. That kind of teaching will reaps its own ugly rewards as you begin to stick your ostrich head in the sand whenever she does something you don't like in the future.
You are the parent, act like it by instant on the spot teaching.

My 2 year old daughter drinks her bath water when I'm not looking. She pretends to have pretend tea with her bath buddies. The ick factor not withstanding, there was instant but controlled response. Her four year old brother had done the some once upon a time. Acting like Nemo looking for buried treasure. We cured that, but it takes time and patience. Today he tattles on his sister when he catches her and says ick or gross. Then he giggles with denials when I remind him how he was when he was 2.

Kids are kids. They don't know any better. That's where we step in and teach them. We can't teach them if we don't at least 'react' to it.

Oh come on people, soapy water? No bugs or diapers or cat's water dish..... bring it on!

Answer 4

As a kid, I really liked the taste of green Irish Spring. I didn't eat it in chunks but I remember liking the taste and taking an occasional lick. I still like the smell more than any other soap.

I think you should practice not reacting. My daughter eats cat food. She eats more of it in front of my husband who gets all grossed out than me who just says "yuck" and ignores it. She might like the taste but she really likes the reaction! :)

Answer 5

Your toddler is doing a good job in manipulating you-she should NOT be allowed to go into the bathroom with you nor be allowed to take up all of your time. She doesn';t like the tasate of soap as much as she likes your reaction-ATTENTION-for she watches you gauging your reaction. Seems like she runs the show-not Normal Behaviour bur behaviour of a child that is overindulged. You need to start setting up times that she spends away from you like when you are in the bathroom. Get a sturdy play area that she cannot get over or a corner where a baby gate can be used-a place you can put her where she is safe while you go to the bathroom . Talk to her of private places and explain bathroom is one of them say she has reached the appropriate age for it and no more and also personal space cannot hang on you all the time either or join in everything you do like the handwashing.(IT i not even sanitary for her to touch water from hands after you've used the bathroom-use that because of age no longer safe for bacteria affects her now..By allowing this attachment you are encouraging her to have attachment problems later.

Answer 6

my kid eats shovels full of sand from the sandbox. i can't imagine that tastes that great either. he is eighteen months. he eats everything from my hair gel to napkins. i can't get him to stop i think he is part goat or something lol!! good luck, i guess if she isn't getting sick, lick on!! or just put it up when not in use.

Answer 7

Well, that will make it difficult to wash her mouth out with soap when she starts backtalking...lol. Maybe she likes your reaction to her when she eats it.