Behavioral Question: a 2Yr Old Who STILL Puts Everything in Her Mouth?!

Hi A.!, I believe young children are still learning and exploring their environment and putting things in their mouth is just one of the ways they do that unfortunately. I have a six year old that still puts some things in her mouth. It has greatly improved though. Good Luck! N. L.

I don't mean to scare you because it's really not, but if she doesn't outgrow it by 3, I would be concerned. She could have a Sensory Processing Disorder, and one of the components is oral. Many kids w/ SPD usually have other problem areas, so if you're concerned you can check this symptom list and talk to your pediatrician. If needed, you can get a free eval by your state's Early Intervention program.

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-proces...

Just keep removing it from her mouth and tel her that's dirty. It'll hurt her, etc.. She'll get the hint.

Have you checked to see if she is cutting teeth?

My son is now 3 1/2 He did the same thing when he was 2. What I did to get him to stop was this I got him interested in toys that he liked. I sat down and played with him. I rewarded him when he did not put things in his mouth. I made a big deal out of the good things that he did. It made him excited so he stopped puting things into his mouth. :)

My son was the same way, and still, at 4 1/2 likes to chew on toys. It's just a kid thing!

A.,

This is a typical way for infants and toddlers to explore their world, but the intensity you describe sounds like it could be more than expected for her age. The "typical" spectim has a wide range, but you should not ignore anything that is truly atypical. Early intervention is the most sucessful.

If there is anything else in her development of speech, langauge, motor skills, social skills, eating, sleeping, or cognitive development that gives you cause to ask "is this normal?" then make an appointment with a developmental pediatrican and have it checked out. If not, keep everything she could choke on put away and wait for it to go away. The help me grow program is one way to go, but nothing will ever beat a private evaluation for accuracy.

M.

I call her normal.....lol

Could she be teething? Our 2 year old grandson puts his fingers in his mouth to the point of gagging and sometimes throwning up. It's his molars.

Has she always done this all the time or is it possible she's teething? It's normal for 2 yr olds to put things in their mouths... it's one of the ways they explore their worlds. My 18 month old is always putting things in his mouth... and as long as it can't hurt him, I usually don't freak out about it. He's my 4th son... there's not a whole lot that phases me anymore lol.

Well, truth be told, this is generally not a behavioral problem, but simply a developmental issue. Unless she is clearly doing it to "push your buttons", children will mouth objects until they are ready not to...there is a great deal of variability in this. Some children mouth longer when there are developmental issues, but not always...some are just more "oral" than others, just like adults. Since development progresses in very predictable stages (it's the AGES part that varies!) the best way to help her pass through this stage (I know it sounds counterintuitive) is to allow her to mouth as much as she wants, as long as it is not a dangerous item. There are many great items available at places such as beyondplay.com, and even toy stores, that are meant to be mouthed; many children have very strong needs for oral stimulation, and meeting those needs is a healthy thing to do. And, as you found out, she will meet those needs with or without your blessing! Best of luck...E.

She's two? You should be do lucky that this is your only issue!