How Do Discourage Lip Licking in 2 Year Old...

Updated on June 20, 2013
M.S. asks from Troutdale, OR
9 answers

My son had picked up a new habit of licking his top lip and/or sucking it into his mouth. Last week it was the bottom one, and so they are both dry and cracked and splitting. I can put normal lip care stuff on them and have, but is there something else we can use? I was hoping there was a special icky tasting bitter something that will discourage it? He gets these "habits" every now and then, and they usually go away after a few weeks, but this one is hurting him, so I need to stop it sooner than he does himself. Last night he bumped his daddy's hand and it split his bottom lip open and we had a lot of blood as all I'm sure you have experienced with a split lip too. So, if any of you have any ideas or suggestions I would welcome them. Thanks in Advance!

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

He's likely dehydrated. Licking the lips causes the saliva glands to water the mouth. It's part of the process of eating and digesting food.

He needs to drink water and then use a good lip balm every little bit.

2 moms found this helpful

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J.C.

answers from New York on

After he falls asleep, lube him up with some Carmex. When you catch him, tell him not to lick his lips. It will be a bit of a battle but he should eventually stop. And don't make it worse if the Carmex stings. Use something like Vaseline during the day. He won't like you putting that on either. But it shouldn't burn

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Houston on

Our daughter was doing that last winter. She had a red, chapped "mustache" above her upper lip and her lips were cracked and bleeding. It was awful! Aquaphor worked! I put it on at night right after her bath and again in the morning. Her lips were better within a few days. After that, we just kept it handy and I told her to put it on any time her lips felt dry.

1 mom found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son does this too! It's awful, & so painful and just looks terrible!

I agree about sneaking in after he is asleep & lathering him up with whatever works best for him, we use aquaphor too, it works great!

I just try to remind him to stop when I see him doing it...lately he has quit but has know developed the habit of chewing on his shirt collar! Ugh!!

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L.M.

answers from Reno on

Sorry if I'm repeating what others have said, as I haven't read the responses.

There is a topical application you can buy at most stores like WalMart, CVS, Walgreens etc... that is for thumb-sucking. You can put that on your little one's lips. It's bitter and they don't like it at all. Best of luck!!!

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S.G.

answers from Norfolk on

I'm late in responding, sorry. My daughter has done this. Aquaphor worked great, we applied it liberally. Also we put her humidifier on in her room at night, which I think helped a lot. Good luck.

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D.T.

answers from Muncie on

Carmex, original. It's nasty tasting and heals wonderfully. Warning, it does sting if his lips are badly chapped/open cracks.

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O.O.

answers from Kansas City on

Reasoning with him might be like tring to our shies on an octopus.
At night, after he's asleep, sneak in & slather on Aquaphor.
Works like a charm and it will have 10 hours to undo what he's done that day!

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J.J.

answers from Washington DC on

put some vaseline or medicated blistex...it will heal the lips and it doesn't taste very good for licking.

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