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.