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Original poster

Dribbling at nearly three!

18 replies

sarahhal · 15/02/2006 10:44

DS1 has always been a dribbly baby/toddler, but I'm started to get a bit concerned that he's still doing it at almost three. I have a suspicion that a lot of it is due to him breathing through his mouth all the time and not his nose ( i was the same and had my adenoids out at 7).

Anyone else had a dribblesome toddler and was there a medical reason at all?

He's too old for bibs but his t shirts are soggy all the time!!

OP posts:
sparklymieow · 15/02/2006 10:47

my ds and dd1 dribble still (theya re 8 and 5) but they have cerebral palsy. I found a lady who sold these fab bib-type thing, that are bandanas with towelling on the back to soak up the drool, that you try around the neck. I will try and find the website for you.

sparklymieow · 15/02/2006 10:50

this is the site :)

Bozza · 15/02/2006 10:52

Does sound like it is all related. Has he definitely got all his teeth in? That's the only other thing I can think of. But I think you've probably already hit on the cause.

Original poster
sarahhal · 15/02/2006 23:24

Bump

OP posts:
Original poster
sarahhal · 15/02/2006 23:26

Sorry Bozza and Sparleymiaow - meant to thank you for your replies before so rudely bumping!! Feel very rude now.

OP posts:
jamiesam · 15/02/2006 23:47

Sarahhal - my ds1 was a terrible dribbler, but thankfully stopped between 2 and 3. He used to wear a bib all the time - soggy t shirts used to give him rashes on his neck/chest. Step-mum-in-law told me that dh's step brother dribbled till he was 7 or 8 so I was really worried.

Never established medical reason for dribbling after teething over and done with.

geekgrrl · 16/02/2006 06:37

sarahal, my eldest dd dribbled until she was 4. She is fine, my younger dd's speech therapist that it was normal for dribbling to go on till 4 or so with some children, and that there's no need to be concerned.

geekgrrl · 16/02/2006 06:38

should have said 'my younger dd's speech therapist said that...'

busybusybee · 16/02/2006 07:59

sarahhal

I remember reading in a book a while ago that dribbling in children over 18months is a sign of the child being developmentally delayed.

I dont mean to suggest your ds is, just to say that is what i have read. I would take him to your HV or GP

HTH

Original poster
sarahhal · 16/02/2006 08:51

Thanks for you messages. I'm not worried about his development at all as he is a very bright articulate little boy but I think I will see the HV.

This is a daft question, but can you take a three year old to drop in baby clinics to see the HV or are they too old?

OP posts:
geekgrrl · 16/02/2006 09:13

busybusybee, sounds like complete and utter BS to me.
Lots and lots of children over 18 months dribble. My developmentally delayed child is the only one of my three who had stopped dribbling by then!

jamiesam · 16/02/2006 15:02

sarahhal - yes, I've taken ds's to babyclinic recently and ds1 is 4.5 - do hv's do until children are 5, I can't remember???

Greensleeves · 16/02/2006 15:21

BBB - my ds1 is 3.4 and still dribbles, his chin is always wet and he dribbles all over his clothes, it really embarrasses me But his language is age 5-6, he is already doing basic addition and subtraction. and is in no way delayed in his development (NOT bragging - there are many more important qualities than these!). If the OP wants to take him to be checked over that's her choice, but dribbling isn't necessarily a sign of developmental delay.

Helen38 · 16/02/2006 15:28

My ds1 (6) still dribbled untill a few months ago when he finally had his adenoids out and it stopped over night, had always dribbled as was mouth breather just took a long time for dr to listen to me. I'd say talk to gp they can tell if adenoids are large.

Arabica · 16/02/2006 16:06

My DS (5 in April) dribbled loads until very recently. No signs of developmental delay in him--but he is prone to stuffy nose, and has hayfever in summer, so probably due to mouth breathing. Am going to ask GP about adenoids when i get around to it!

busybusybee · 16/02/2006 20:01

I was only referring to what i read - not claiming to be an expert - dribbling is ONE possible indicator not a diagnoses!

I hope you work out a solution soon Sarahhal

Cristina7 · 16/02/2006 20:18

DS did the same. No medical reason at all. The speech & language therapist (who saw him for unrelated stuff - deafness) gave us a sheet of exercises to strengthen his jaw and facial muscles and advise on experiementing with all sorts of chewy foods. He's 6 now and absolutely fine and has been for the last 2-3 years.

singersgirl · 18/02/2006 14:21

Both DSs dribbled late. DS2 has stopped completely now - it's happened in the last year (between 3.5 and 4.5). And he is also an articulate, bright little chap. I thought about going to see someone, but it cleared up before I got round to it.

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