Very oral 16 month old

[Anonymous]

My 16 month old is constantly putting hands in his mouth and licking everything. He smells like lick all the time.
Is it normal for a child of this age to be this oral with everything? He does this ALL day long.

[Anonymous]

Yes..... and No.

I would redirect and get him busy with other things. Especially I would get him involved in sensory things (that are safe if he puts them in his mouth) - like..... playing with sandpaper blocks (buy wooden blocks, superglue sandpaper to them if you can't buy them), using flour in a sensory box, water and soapy water (wash doll babies and plastic dishes) in a dishpan, playdough (make it yourself so you know there aren't anything he can't eat), sand, kinetic sand, cornstarch and water (ooblick), and more.

At this point he can't play with rice, beans, etc because those aren't safe if he swallows them.

And..... watch him. This should decrease markedly by 18-20 months - and by 24 months for sure - so if it doesn't stop then I would speak to your pediatrician and get a referral. All toddlers are very sensory because they explore with all their senses, touch, taste, smell, feel, etc. but that tapers off by 24 months of age, usually.

[Anonymous]

DD was like this until she was 2 or so. She would come home from daycare with paint on her lips because she ate it. EVERYTHING went in her mouth long past the age it seemed normal. I have no advice other than to say it did end eventually and now she's a totally normal 3 year old. She talked really early (full stories and paragraphs by 2.5), IDK if that's related.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes..... and No.

I would redirect and get him busy with other things. Especially I would get him involved in sensory things (that are safe if he puts them in his mouth) - like..... playing with sandpaper blocks (buy wooden blocks, superglue sandpaper to them if you can't buy them), using flour in a sensory box, water and soapy water (wash doll babies and plastic dishes) in a dishpan, playdough (make it yourself so you know there aren't anything he can't eat), sand, kinetic sand, cornstarch and water (ooblick), and more.

At this point he can't play with rice, beans, etc because those aren't safe if he swallows them.

And..... watch him. This should decrease markedly by 18-20 months - and by 24 months for sure - so if it doesn't stop then I would speak to your pediatrician and get a referral. All toddlers are very sensory because they explore with all their senses, touch, taste, smell, feel, etc. but that tapers off by 24 months of age, usually.

Please do NOT use flour on a sensory box or make raw flour doughs for play--never. No licking the cake or cookie bowls any more either, folks.

Raw flour can carry salmonella, which is especially dangerous for young children.

I know --folks will shrug and say "I ate raw dough as a kid, my kid plays in flour, my kid played with homemade dough etc." but times and information change. Google flour and salmonella. Several recent recalls and much general advice not to eat flour. So sensory tables with flour plus a kid who is oral is potentially a real risk.

[Anonymous]

My younger one just turned two and still puts a lot of toys in her mouth. Your post reminded me how my older one rode the metro with me and would try to lick the seats, poles, and / or windows. Ewwwwww

She grew out of it before two I think. FWIW my children are late with teeth so I think teething is still a factor.

[Anonymous]

Op here, thanks for the replies.
He doesn’t talk yet, not even mama or dada. Teething might be an issue, but he isn’t fussy at all, so I can’t tell-!
I try to gently take his hands out of his mouth ,but it’s become such a habit that i’d be constantly at him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here, thanks for the replies.
He doesn’t talk yet, not even mama or dada. Teething might be an issue, but he isn’t fussy at all, so I can’t tell-!
I try to gently take his hands out of his mouth ,but it’s become such a habit that i’d be constantly at him.

You need to contact your Early intervention department and get evaluated. At 16 mo he should be saying some words. Here is the website for Fairfax county.


https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/office-for-children/infant-and-toddler-connection