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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be afraid of baby getting sick from putting everything in mouth?

37 replies

August24Mama · 02/01/2025 22:46

Hi everyone, I have an 18 week old DD who has just recently learned if she sees something, she can grab it. Most of the day is spent stopping her from putting whatever object in her reach in her mouth. I'm not sure if its teething or just exploring things. It's never anything crazy or dangerous, just usually either a blanket, bib or muslin cloth. I give her teething toys but they seem to make her upset after a minute or two, I'm not sure why.

Before I can take whatever she's grasped off of her, it's usually in her mouth already. Should I be more strict with making sure she doesn't do this? I don't want to inhibit a natural thing to do, but I'm terrified of her getting sick off something unsterilized. She's exclusively BF and obviously nipples aren't sterile, so I think I may be overreacting. But it's still lingering in my mind that it'll make her sick, AIBU?

OP posts:
Normandy144 · 02/01/2025 23:05

It's an important part of development. Not only do they learn by exploring and putting things in their mouths, it also builds immunity. You don't need to sterilise things so much.

Original poster
August24Mama · 02/01/2025 23:05

Dal101 · 02/01/2025 22:55

This helps for the really gross floor drops

I've had this and really liked it! I ran out you've just reminded me to grab more, thank you! 😁

OP posts:
JMSA · 02/01/2025 23:03

Narkacist · 02/01/2025 22:56

My son once grabbed a piece of bread from a pigeon and ate it, he was fine.
It’s what they do.

Grin
Nix99 · 02/01/2025 23:02

My DS's favourite hobby atm is to go round licking chairs. It's a good job he's my second because I'm so much more chilled this time around. They all do it and I think in some ways it must build up their immune systems. Try not to overly worry about it.

Biroclicker · 02/01/2025 22:59

It will help her get less sick. She needs a healthy microbiome and that comes from rolling around in the dirt a bit. Too sterile and environment has been linked to allergies and even childhood leukemia so I wouldn't worry a bit.

NigellaAwesome · 02/01/2025 22:57

I listened to a Zoe podcast about allergies recently and this behaviour is apparently really important in training the immune system so don't stress about it and don't go mad on sterilising everything.

Narkacist · 02/01/2025 22:56

My son once grabbed a piece of bread from a pigeon and ate it, he was fine.
It’s what they do.

MajorCarolDanvers · 02/01/2025 22:53

It’s a totally normal part of baby development.

RegulatorsMountUp · 02/01/2025 22:51

RegulatorsMountUp · 02/01/2025 22:47

YANBU normal part of development and its good to get illnesses and build that immune system. Unless she's picking up stuff off the floor in the street and putting it in her mouth then she'll be fine.

Clearly I meant YABU 😄

Beezknees · 02/01/2025 22:51

YABU, literally all babies do this. It does no harm.

RegulatorsMountUp · 02/01/2025 22:47

YANBU normal part of development and its good to get illnesses and build that immune system. Unless she's picking up stuff off the floor in the street and putting it in her mouth then she'll be fine.