When Do Toddlers Stop Putting EVERYTHING in Their Mouths?

My mom (masters in early childhood education) explained to me that this is simply children explore the world.

I was going to say he might be doing this significantly less by the time he's three. I don't think my 3 1/2 year old does it nearly as much as he used it.

My husband and I usually say, "Oooh, yucky!" but that doesn't always stop him. Try not to worry about it too much. Most of what he's getting is just good, healthy dirt, as opposed to really dangerous germs. Think of it helping his growing immune system.

I would give it another year or so. But he really will grow out of it.

One thing that will help is changing your language. "no mouth" refers to where you don't want it to go. Tell him what TO do with it... "yucky, let's put it in the trash"... if he has a habit of putting floor gunk in his mouth, get a little trash can with a swinging lid and have him start putting stuff there. It will be a game.

He's also going to learn that these things aren't pleasant to taste/mouth.

And then, when he's older, he'll have his fingers in his mouth all over again! (very typical for five year olds!)

Years later you will be asking yourself the same question. The only thing I can offer you is: not yet! It will get less as he gets older. But my kids are 4 and 5 and on occasions I still find myself saying, "Only food goes in your mouth!!!!"

We used to say, "yucky!" and make a face. And go and take it from their hand.

right before 2 they should be pretty much over it.

My son is 6 and every once in a while I'll catch him putting something in his mouth that isn't food. I tell him to take out and he does. Other times I don't think he knows he's doing it until I say something to him. Your son will out grow it.

It may go on for much much much longer. :) My 3 yr old will stuff her mouth with tiny toys and my almost 5 yr old likes to chew on things (like the eraser on the end of a pencil). Of course, it is certainly not with the frequency you see in younger kids, but it is still something we keep an eye on. And just as a side note, my kids are perfectly normal, no developmental issues, and are very bright. I usually remind them that they only put food in their mouths, and only food my husband or I give them, not anything they find on the ground or floor.

Well, my 6 year old chewed tree bark the other day because he "wanted to know what it tasted like". Oh my gosh I couldn't believe it! Lol anyway, for both my boys, most of it stopped around 3. But just like Jessica V, every now and then something gets tried out. . . Like bark :)

It is recommended that up to a minimum of age three that everything be considered a choke hazard if it will fit through the inside roll of toilet paper. That includes Hot Wheels cars, puzzle pieces, marshmallows, grapes, seeds, food larger than 1/4", etc...google the topic for a better list.

This child is doing what is totally normal. He should keep doing this for at least another 6 months to 1 year. I would wonder if he wasn't. It's a very important part of his development.