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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Dribbling for England.....but not football.....

21 replies

popsycal · 16/07/2004 23:42

DS will be 2 in a few weeks time and since he began talking more he constantly dribbles - sometimes more than he did when he was first teething as a baby. He has a dummy (another thread!) but rarely has it during the day but dribbles even more with dummy in. A few other relevant things: if I tell him to shut his mouth, he does, and doesn't dribble so much, he can use a straw really well and has been able to for abotu 6 months, he somtimes walks on tiptoes.....

Sometimes I think that I read way to much and read stuff into his development which isn't actually there.
What do you think - should I worry?

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expatkat · 14/07/2004 13:34

There are pix of my ds at 2 yrs 10 months (when dd was just born) with a soaking t-shirt because of dribbling. Somewhere between then and now (he's 4 yrs 8 months) the dribbling stopped, though once in a while a little bit of dribble escapes when he's in deep concentration.

In the US it's standard for children to see not a gp but a pediatrician, which is useful for getting speedy, accurate answers to even the slightest worry. When I asked about the dribble, ds's (v. good) pediatrician said, don't worry it WILL stop at some point. And it did.

Ds's dribbling had nothing to do with teething, btw. He just dribbled--it was just the way he was. It's obviously not exactly "normal" to stop dribbling sometime between age 3 and 4, but it's not "abnormal" either. IMHO it doesn't sound like there's enough other stuff that's "off" developmentally with your ds to worry about the dribbling.

Beccarollover · 16/07/2004 23:47

What significance is the walking on tiptoes? Is there something in particular your worried about?

Original poster

popsycal · 16/07/2004 23:48

sorry becca - read about dyspraxia...and these things (minus being able to use a straw) can be a sign...

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Original poster

popsycal · 16/07/2004 23:49

sorry - i am not worried as such - have been wondering whether to post for a month or so but havent been THAT worried.
Still not that worried - but today the dribble has been endless, so thought i would get some advice...

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suzywong · 16/07/2004 23:51

Martha Moo's ds2 had a dribbling phase at this age, she will be able to reassure you, I'm sure.

Original poster

popsycal · 16/07/2004 23:52

He may also be getting his very back teeth in.....
it is constant though.....
oh well....he is gorgeus and bright and deep down, i am not worried......maybe i just think i ought to be
i read too much!

and clearly have too much time on my hands (i wish )

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Beccarollover · 16/07/2004 23:54

I can vouch for his gorgeousness and brightness - he is a peach....

Original poster

popsycal · 16/07/2004 23:54

sorry this is turning into a monologue.....
i have plenty of other stuff to be thinking about

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suzywong · 16/07/2004 23:55

send me a pic popsy, you know what a big fan I am of dear little boys

gloworm · 17/07/2004 00:07

DS, AGE 2, HAS BEEN GETTING HIS BACK TEETH, loads more dribbling now, he rarely dribbled as a baby.

excuse caps...ds is here as we speak and pressing buttions!

Original poster

popsycal · 17/07/2004 01:02

suzy = dont think i have your email......
i am on msn though....

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marthamoo · 17/07/2004 01:23

Hiya popsy, let me find my dribbling thread for you....

marthamoo · 17/07/2004 01:32

here it is

Ds2 has improved no end since I first started that thread. He does still dribble a little (more than his peers I think) but I no longer have to change his clothes 2 or 3 times a day, and he doesn't have a permanent patch of damp on his top. He seems more aware of it himself now and sort of slurps the dribble back in (nice!) I know it can be indicative of a more serious underlying problem but I think in ds2's case he was just much slower to stop dribbling than most children.

My first stop was the HV, popsy, she referred me to the SALT and also advised I see my GP to rule out any physiological cause. I'd suggest you do that too - your ds may just grow out of it himself (as mine would have done, I think) but it may help put your mind at rest.

HTH.

marthamoo · 17/07/2004 01:37

Jimjams - if you read this! I just replied to your last post on my dribbling thread - sorry I completely missed it at the time.

Saker · 17/07/2004 17:12

My ds1 dribbled loads as a baby and right up until he was past two - I remember talking to the health visitor about it. The health visitor suggested using a straw to strengthen his mouth muscles but I could never get him to do it. However I found that he suddenly improved loads when I started using Anyway up cups. I don't know if you are using those already but they do require a really strong suck.

Incidentally my ds2 has motor problems and poor speech articulation and may well be dyspraxic but he never really dribbled as a baby or a toddler. I don't think you should worry about dribbling as a sign of dyspraxia unless you have other signs too. How is his articulation? Does he seem to have any other motor type problems?

pollyanna · 17/07/2004 17:38

My ds who has oral dyspraxia, dribbled constantly at that age (and still does - he is 5), but he also couldn't use a straw, eat very tidily or speak very clearly. There are other symptoms too. I wouldn't worry if this is an isolated symptom - the most visible one for ds was his speech which I noticed at 2yo, but he wasn't diagnosed until he was 4. So, if I were you I'd wait a while and try not to worry!

Original poster

popsycal · 17/07/2004 22:45

Thanks folks! All really helpful but exactly as I thought! Ds has always had a really strng suck and has been able to use a straw really well since about the age of 18 months which I felt was quite early. His speech is really clear though, like all little ones, he mispronouces afew words. People comments on how clear his diction is. He is starting to string words together now too. My gut feeling is not to worry. I am expecting a 2 year check letter to come soon - but who knows though - they haven't checked him since his 6 week check!

Thanks again ladies - MM I will read your thread too.
Thanks
Popsy

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JJ · 18/07/2004 05:55

Popsy, just an update on my son (from the other thread). We used straws, but only occasionally, so I'm not sure if that had any effect. However, he's just started growing out of it and I'm sure that's what it is: growing out of it, as opposed to something we've done. He's 2 years and ummm.. 10 months.

Just wanted to reassure you.

elliott · 18/07/2004 13:08

popsy ds1 still dribbles and he is 2 and 7 months. JJ I'm hoping that means only 3 months to go! I'm sure there is no underlying problem - like your ds he also has good diction. The problem is worse when he has a cold (he's had thick green snot for about 3 weeks now, but that's another thread!). We've started reminding him to swallow, with limited success. I do think its just something some kids do....

Original poster

popsycal · 18/07/2004 22:20

Thanks ladies - my gut reaction is that you are right.

I am really not worried about this and he is definitely getting his last few teeth in too.
Just something to keep an eye on i think!!

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splittie · 20/07/2004 20:07

I have just been searching the web for any information on dribbling children. My son is now 2 years and 7 months and dribbles continually. His top is usually pretty wet by the afternoon. We have occasionally had a few weeks when it has improved and I think he has finally cracked it and then it all starts again. His development seems otherwise normal and his speech is good. I was glad to read that he isn't alone as all his peers seem have stopped dribbling.

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