Oral obsessed 21 month old.

[RobinHoodsPantFloss]

Should he still be?? Everything goes in the mouth. Colouring in is more successful on the teeth than the page and the snails in the garden rightfully fear for their lives. I thought he would be past this stage by now? Would be glad to hear others experiences.

My son was 3 2 months ago and still puts lots of things in his mouth! And chews them absentmindedly too. He knows he shouldn't as he was telling off a bunch of 18 month years old for doing it at a toddler group!

It is unusual for Ds not to have something in his mouth - thumb/toy/pebbles!

DS is 22 months, common things to find in his mouth include thumb, muslin, stones, thomas tank engine and the other day there was a slug definitely on the way there - at least in some parts of the world snails are considered edible!

Seriously, I think they're supposed to grow out of it around 3 ish but their mouth is the most sensitive part of the body so it's either about comfort or just exploring the world around them. Don't worry just yet!

Ah so 3 is the magic number! makes sense as lots of the toys are supposed to be from 3 onwards. Ok so he isn't going to be a case for Freud just yet then!

Mine was 3 over 2 months ago. But then I chew my pen sometimes so maybe its genetic! Most of his toys are chewed, its like having a dog.

I read somewhere the other day that children who put things in their mouths alot and also use their hands alot to explore things tend to be very intelligent

If I find where I read it will post a link

ooh I like the sound of that, there has to be a good payoff for having everything chewed and he can't keep his hands off anything.

Well bumbleweed we like the sound of that. DP nodded knowingly and proudly and DS clapped at the word clever because he always does when he is!