Why does my 3yr old grandson lick everything in site?

Question

I,ve heard that when children eat stuff that isn't food, like dirt, matches, etc., they are missing something in their diet. Does licking things mean the same thing, or are they just discovering taste and texture by licking?

P.S. Would being autistic have anything to do with it?

He's been off the bottle and pacifier for about 11/2yrs.

Answer 1

There are more nerve endings in the tongue than in other areas of the body. He's just trying to become acquainted with the items. This is more common in younger children, infants. Each child goes through the stages of development at different rates. He may just be fixated in the oral stage, for some reason or, he could have reverted back to that stage. Just keep emphasizing that it's not good to do that. Eventually, he should get out of it.

When people eat non-food items they might have a condition called Pica. It can be associated with mental retardation and pervasive developmental disorders (autism), schizophrenia, or Kleine-Levin syndrome although vitamin or mineral deficiencies have been reported in some instances, usually no specific biological abnormalities are found. This is seen most commonly in young children and occasionally in pregnant females. In most cases Pica lasts for only several months.

Answer 2

I've never been around a young child that doesn't use their tongue as and experimental tool. My friend had his 11 month old here just yesterday and he's a pretty well behaved baby but after about five minutes of inspecting the dog leash hanging on the wall I had to hide it because he was determined to put it in his mouth. Some children go straight for the mouth. Which is why they have to be watched so closely. If they don't know what something is they use every resource available to figure out what it is.

Answer 3

It could be a search for nutrients, but more than likely he's going through an oral fixation stage, exploring things by how they taste and feel on his tongue. Could be he's not weened from his pacifer and still needs that comfort in his mouth. I'd just keep telling him "no, don't lick that", etc and he should grow out of this phase.

Answer 4

Isn't it gross though! I was at the laundry mat one day..and my 2 year old went on a licking spree..windows..the door..washing machines, dryer...now thats the wrong place to be licking stuff. I thought for sure he would come down with some kind of cold...but somehow..someway..he didn't. But i know what ya mean...Yikes.

Answer 5

All children are wont to "mouth" things. As soon as they can get theie hands to their mouths, they'll put everything they can in there. It helps them learn about the world. my daughter is almost three and still does this sometimes. I think its just a discovery thing, even if he's just licking, he's testing his world. i wouldnt worry about it and it will go away eventually (when he's ready).

Answer 6

He probably gets a kick out of everyone saying "Stop that" and giving him attention when he does it. As long as he is not licking anything harmful, just let him do it. How many of us ate dirt and such when we were kids? If you ignore him, he'll probably quit on his own.

Answer 7

Lol i think he is just experimenting with taste and feela nd touch and smell he just likees one more than the other he hasnt separated them out yet..but hat would be something to video tape adn send to americas funniest home videos,,,makes me laugh thinking about it...my kids never did that

Answer 8

hes three years old, hes experimenting with its surroundings, trying new things and learning in the process, is it the safest way to do so? no but is the only way that they can do so at least until they can talk

Answer 9

i have heard from my friend, that if a baby or a child do that, she/he needs iron. you can try to give fe suplement.