Oral Fixation

Some kids are just more orally fixated, and may stay that way unfortunately. I have 3 kids, and one of them to this day puts things in her mouth that I just don't understand and she's 7! She certainly "knows" what shouldn't go in her mouth, but she does it without even thinking about it a lot of times. She has gotten better, but like I said, I think some kids just have an oral thing. She never sucked her thumb, but used a paci for way longer than my other kids and breaking that habit was very difficult. It's been over 3 years, and I'll still catch her making sucking motions when she sleeps sometimes. Try to be patient and encourage other soothing activities. Good luck!

Dear S. D.:
An oral fixation can be a new tooth problem; the metals that exchanges in the saliva of the bars of a stationary bike, and other toys. He might be tasting them, or he might need more vergetables in his diet. The only reason I say this is: cadmium, a toxic heavy metal (which also appears in cigarette smoke) will leach itself from the soil, if proper nutrients are not already in the soil for the growing of vegetables, especially in potatoes. Talk to your pediatrician and see what he recommends. If a child does not get enough iron, calcium, zinc and, it will be easy for cadmium to be absorbed. As a parent, I trusted Shaklee nutrition products and, now I sell them.
The other thought is that the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential can excite the infant/toddler best. Their program starts with music for the womb and continues with different languages, math, reading and other avenues of interest for the child. Their website is www.iahp.org. You will never regret the time and effort to do this. The initial book is: "How to Teach Your Baby to Read", by Glenn Doman.
Enjoy motherhood,
E.

I would think that by 2 1/2 he is old enough for you to just tell that things dont go in his mouth. My son is 2.5 also and doesnt really stick anything in his mouth anymore because he knows its not really appropriate... Wtih my son also, 2 1/2 has kind of been the age where suddenly we've realized we can actually talk to him like a person and have him understand what we need from him, and he responds appropriately

My 21 month old does the same thing! Everything goes straight into his mouth. I agree and so does my pediatrician that this is normal and they grow out of it. However, does your son have lots of ear infections or anything like that? The ears and nose can affect what kids taste, and sometimes what they put in their mouth. My son is going to have to have tubes and we are going to evaluate him for a sensory disorder. But, I think so much of this is related to his ears. Just a thought.

you cant stop this.. he has to grow out of it..

one day he wont feel the need to suck on everything... and he will just stop..

whenwe would go to playgroup.. my son would "eat" all of the crafts...

one day he ate paint, playdoh and the sand in the sandtable..

then one day he just stopped. right around 2 he stopped putting everythin in his mouth..

your son might be teething.. and chewing to releive the pain.

I guess it all depends why he puts everything to his mouth.

My son is also 2 1/2 and he stopped putting everything in his mouth when he got his last teeth, months ago. Does you son have all his 20 teeth or is he still teething?
At his age, he may be able to understand not to put things in his mouth. And, if he is teething, try to offer something to help with the pain (teething ring, frozen carrot...)

If he puts things in his mouth for other reasons (comfort, discovery, nutrients...), you first need to understand why he does it, so you can stop the behavior. I wrote nutrients because I read somewhere that when people have some lack of some nutrients (iron...), they may crave metal taste. Some even explain strange pregnancy cravings by this.

And one he stops with everything, you can work on the thumb.

If he uses the thumb a lot for comfort, try no to stop him at difficult times (new sibling, moving, long trip, starting school...), because it's when he will need it more. Also, you may need to offer an alternative (a lovey, blanket...) to help him transition.