At about the age of 4–5 months, the baby begins to pull everything into its mouth. Most mothers are concerned about this phenomenon, as many bacteria and viruses can live on a variety of objects. In addition, there is a danger of accidentally swallowing small parts. Why this happens and when children stop pulling everything in their mouths, we will consider in the article.
Sucking reflex
Interest in the world around him arises in the baby 2-3 months after his birth. At the age of 4–5 months, the baby begins to realize the work of its pens and their capabilities. After that, the baby tries to understand how they work, so he sends them to the study in his mouth. Then practically all objects that are in the reach zone are used: toys, clothes, mother's parts of the body.
It is important to understand that this is a normal stage in life through which all children go. The task of parents is to create a safe environment for the child. Small parts or objects with sharp edges should not get into the baby. The toys the baby plays with must always be clean.
Danger
Before moving on to the issue of when children stop pulling everything in their mouths, it is necessary to consider the consequences that may arise.
Everything that fits perfectly into the baby’s mouth. It is important to understand that such a period of development is accompanied by increased danger. What does it consist of:
- The baby can drag objects that are not intended for food into his mouth, and then swallow them. It's not so bad if it is just a piece of paper. But there is a danger that the baby can swallow a small battery, a needle or drink a dishwashing detergent.
- A child is a year old - everything pulls in his mouth. During the active development of the sucking reflex, it is common for children to lick door handles, handrails on the bus and other things that are teeming with bacteria. Remember that all objects surrounding you can be sources of viruses that can be difficult to handle even for an adult body.
But, the danger lies not only in swallowing objects, but also in the possibility of accidentally inhaling a small part or object.
How old is the child pulling everything in his mouth?
Most adults believe that this behavior is unacceptable for the crumbs. But this is not so! This way of knowing the world around us is laid in the child by nature itself. The fact is that at an early stage of development, the tongue, mouth and eyes are the only tools for exploring a variety of subjects. This period of knowledge on average lasts up to 13-15 months.
How to wean a child to pull everything in his mouth?
Experts give the following tips:
- Do not allow the baby to pull objects that are not food into your mouth. Do not be lazy to remind him of this regularly if you see another attempt to drag a toy into his mouth.
- Dad, grandparents should also be actively involved in such bans.
- Try to always play with your child. If he found any small details, then tell him in detail about them so that he would have no desire to explore them with the help of language.
- If the baby pulls the TV remote control or soap while bathing, show him what to do with these things.
- Do not pull objects from the child out of the hands with screams. Try to carefully pick up the item and then explain what it is for. Remember that even an eight-month-old baby is able to understand words and their meaning.
Teeth are cut
When do children stop pulling everything in their mouths? Very often, babies whose teeth are just beginning to erupt, just try to scratch their gums. Therefore, they can drag fingers, their clothes, and other objects that fall into the arm into their mouths. The task of parents is to provide the baby with everything necessary for this period.
Today, in the children's departments of stores you can find a lot of different teethers, rubber rings and other items that help the baby cope with discomfort in the mouth. If you are not very good at such a solution to the problem, then get a children's painkiller gel.
Errors in the actions of parents
Children tend to imitate their parents. Therefore, before scolding the baby, analyze your actions and actions:
- Do not eat food that has fallen on the floor. Demonstratively lift it and throw it into the bin.
- Try not to use a toothpick or floss in front of your child. Also, do not open the packaging of nuts or sweets with your teeth. If you gnaw a pencil or pen, then try to get rid of such a bad habit.
- Put things in their places so that the child cannot reach them.
When to worry
Classes for children 2-3 years in the form of drawing or modeling often leads to the fact that the child begins to gnaw pencils or pull plasticine in his mouth in order to taste it. Some parents consider this the absolute norm. But if your child is more than 3 years old, and he continues to pull various objects into his mouth, you should think:
- When a baby older than three years nibbles on pencils, perhaps he has such a reaction to stress.
- If a child pulls sand, drawing crayons, or metal objects in his mouth, this may be a symptom of anemia.
- When do children stop pulling everything in their mouths? After 1.1–2 years. But it is important to understand that a lot depends on the individual characteristics of the baby. If the child continues to pull everything in his mouth after three years, then you should check the functions of the sensitivity of the organs of hearing, smell and touch. This is necessary in order to eliminate possible problems.
Unfortunately, such symptoms can occur in children with mental disorders, as they are not able to control their actions.
Keep track of your children, timely contact the specialists, be healthy!