Toddler starting to put (non-food) objects in her mouth.

[hoppybird]

dd (coming up to 23months) is suddenly interested in chewing small, non-food objects. Last time she mouthed toys or anything else non-food was at around 9 months, when she developed a very good pincer-grip and was far more interested in examining things in her hands.

This latest habit has coincided with chewing her toothbrush to bits. I'm assuming it's teething related - she still has four more teeth to go (molars). Problem is, she goes for small objects that fit in her mouth - I have a 7 year old as well so I'm always having to pick up bits of lego . Just when I thought it was getting easier re: occupying herself, she goes and develops this habit!

Does anyone else's toddler do this?

[Amoral]

EVERYON'ES TODDLER DOES THIS.

[hoppybird]

I must have a selective memory then! I really don't remember my ds doing this at all - unless it was done on the sly!

I guess I'm a bit surprised as she hasn't mouthed anything for ages.

[Shoegazer]

My DD has never stopped this and she is exactly 2. Nothing is safe - she can't have a box of raisins because she will eat the box, she tries to eat any morsel of any fluff she finds on the floor, the toothpaste and toothbrush and her particular favourite is playdoh, which she knows she shouldn't eat because she waits until my attention is diverted before quickly stuffing a piece into her mouth. Apparently it tastes lovely She is a human hoover.

[fizzbuzz]

My dd (2 on Sunday) doesn't do this, she stopped ages ago.

She prefers to shove them up her nose instead..........Just waiting for next trip to A&E waiting for her to sneeze out another two raisins or a button

[Bimblin]

It can be a sign of anaemia. My ds started frantically easting ice for a while and someone told me the anaemia link and I didn't believe it, but then when I was pg and got anaemic I suddenly had a desperate urge to crunch ice. However, my gp said if his diet was okay it wasn't worth the trauma of testing him. HTH

[Bimblin]

eating, not easting...

Google 'pica'

[Bimblin]

I've done it for you

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pica_(disorder)

Bored tonight...

[henjen]

My 23 month puts everything in her mouth. Doesnt matter how many times I have told her 'not in your mouth' she still does it. This week face a snail (was sick after that) sun cream, play doh, paint, books, magazines etc. I usually manage to get them out pretty quick but still... We cant have anything small within reach and all the cupboard doors have locks. It drives me bananas sometimes but she seems to survive. I wonder why I bother spending so much time making healthy dinners for her because she must be full of all sorts of nasty things by now!