How do you get a 19 month old to stop putting EVERYTHING in his mouth?

Question

I keep an almost 19 month old during the week. When he first started here at the end of the summer he was 14 months old and understandably teething. Now he has all of his teeth and has for about 3 months, yet he puts everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING in his mouth. So I know for a fact he is not teething. Random toys (size doesn't matter), books, playdoh, lego's, paper, dolls, doll pacifiers, doll hands/arms, clothes, his fingers, wooden puzzle pieces, small pieces of trash he finds on the floor, the straps on his overalls - doesn't matter, he wants to put it in his mouth and "taste" it. As far as food is concerned he's somewhat chubby, quite greedy with food and eats a lot, but I don't know if this has anything to do with the other issue. It doesn't matter if I tell him politely 75 times a day not to put things in his mouth or scream it, he won't stop. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

children explore using all their senses. not untill they learn that the mouth isnt the best way to find out about the object will they stop. Taking the object from the child and with a firm voice tell them no dont put that in your mouth helps. it also helps to play the body parts game so they know what you mean by mouth.

Answer 2

The child at this age has an "oral fixation" and there's no real way to end it except for when he grows out of that phase. Right now, this is his way of discovering the world. It's natural. So what you must do is only put down things for him that it is alright for him to put in his mouth. You'll have to watch him very carefully. It's hard, but remember that this DOES come to an end. I wish you much patience, you're doing a good job!

Answer 3

My daughter is almost 2 1/2 now and still does the same thing. She is teething though, she was late in getting hers in. She'll be coloring and put the top of her markers in her mouth, usually whatever toy or item she is holding goes in. I still just be repetitive and keep telling her over and over to take something out of her mouth. Then I thought about how many adults do similar things, like chew on pencaps or just put them in their mouth, or bite on their nails. So we can't really expect a child not to put anything in their mouth, since most of us do the same at one time or another.
I would just keep reminding him, and I think eventually they will just mostly grow out of it.

Answer 4

First-if you are doing day care, you need to study child development. You need to learn what to expect as children grow and develop.

Second-toddlers do this. He is still little, he is still learning about his world. Most children will put stuff in the mouth as part of exploring it. Your mouth and lips are far more sensitive than your fingers-so you can learn more about texture by giving it a good old taste. It is up to you as his caregiver to provide a safe space for him to do this in. And to watch him carefully when he is out of that baby proofed space.

Yes, tell him not to put stuff in his mouth so he can learn that concept-but at 19 months do not expect him to say "gee ok" the first time you tell him. He has to learn that you mean nothing in the mouth-he cant jump from "she said not to put that block in my mouth so she must also mean not to put this lego in either". Toddlers require lots of repition as they grow and learn. It will get better but please don't expect him to progress faster than he realistically can.

Answer 5

Be patient. Its just something alot of kids do. My eldest used to put shoes in her mouth, any shoes. She's pop her shoe off and carry it in her mouth like a dog, try to eat Daddy's combat boots, crawl at the speed of light to reach my sneakers before I did....all around 12-16 months. She tried to eat every shell and piece of seaweed she came across on the beach. Everytime she looked at me it seems like I was sticking my finger in her mouth to flush out her newest treasure. At around 4 she swallowed a penny (while in the car) while my Mom was watching her and my Mom almost had a stroke she was so worried. So relax. Kids do that. One day your child will outgrow the habit. Until then, try not to go crazy following yourtoddler everywhere.

Answer 6

supply him something you understand he will put in his mouth, like a block or motor vehicle yet dip it in lime juice or uncomplicated warm sauce first. it is going to end him lifeless in his tracks, and thats once you assert, " see you won't be in a position to place each and every thing on your mouth" or something like that. stressful question, stable success!

Answer 7

you don't, just watch what they grab