Baby putting everything in her mouth

[jarofheart]

DD puts everything in her mouth. Every toy she has goes in her mouth. She grabs a bit of my clothing and that goes in her mouth, I give her a bath and the sponge goes in her mouth. She's always got her thumb in her mouth but it's more like she's chewing on it rather than sucking it (and doesn't do this when she's going to sleep) She's never really been bothered about a dummy and is a really good eater (because everything goes in her mouth). I initially put it down to teething but she's now nearly 1 with 6 teeth and nothing has changed. It didn't increase when her teeth were coming in and didn't decrease when they came through.

I looked back on pictures of the day she was born and her mouth was always open trying to suck things. Our first cuddle was her sucking my face (didn't manage BF though) All her teddies have a worn limb from where she's sucked them. If she finds something, anything, it will go straight in her mouth. Sometimes to suck, sometimes to bite - but mostly sucking.

Literally all day she's got some toy or other in her mouth. I've let it go because I thought it was what babies do but now she's approaching her 1st Birthday I'm wondering if this is normal or if I should be discouraging her from doing this.

Is this normal? If so, when should I start worrying about it?

It's not an issue at the moment because she doesn't need things to suck on as a comfort but I don't want her to get to age 5 and still putting everything in her mouth. If it's normal and she will grow out of it I'll just leave her be.

Yeah it's normal. This is part of the way that they explore objects. Try not to worry

It's completely normal. Don't worry, she'll grow out of it. Check with your health visitor or GP if you are worried, but honestly lots of babies do this & they grow out of it. Mine all did.

Oh good thank you. I thought it was normal but her little friends don't do this nearly as much as she does

It may be linked to something sensory. It's a bit early probably to say. I work with a child who does this at past 3. She's autustic. She's also completely non verbal, so there's plenty of signs other than the mouthing. I'd try not to worry but at the same time check her other development eg. Speech and language (is she doing baby talk/ babbling?), her interactions with you etc.

@MerryMarigold yes she's started to copy us like if I play with a toy she will do the same. She's very vocal with baby noises but I haven't worked out what the noises mean. She interacts with everyone through smiling and laughing. I've no concerns on that front but then I don't know what to look out for.

It may be linked to something sensory.

It is linked to something sensory. It's how babies learn. It's a normal, age appropriate sensory seeking behaviour. No need to bring autism along.

It's totally normal! My baby has yet to be given a single object that she hasn't tried to "eat". Offer her broccoli though ...

Honestly I'm not sure how old they are when they grow out of it - I'm pretty sure my eldest was done and dusted by 18 months. The baby is 14 months now and still going!