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Original poster

DS 8 months won't put anything in his mouth!

14 replies

herdwicksheep · 22/03/2015 20:53

My DS, just turned 8 months, will not put anything in his mouth.
We offer finger foods and the like, but he just isn't interested, nor does he chew toys. He chews his fingers when teething, but that seems to be it.
He also refuses to hold/drink from a cup.

I'm starting to worry a little about his complete lack of interest - i try not to compare him but all of the other babies I know who are of similar age are obsessed with mouthing everything (and anything) that comes into reach!

Anyone had anything similar with their DC? Or any reassurance please Confused

Thanks in advance!

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MrsBojingles · 22/03/2015 23:02

I've a couple of friends who had babies (now toddlers) like that, who are now very capable and able to do so when handed something tasty! I think some babies just aren't that interested - why BLW doesn't work for some! My daughter is the opposite, everything gord straight in her mouth!

elenasalvatore · 22/03/2015 23:19

My DS was exactly like this. He didn't put anything in his mouth at all, no toys, random objects. food was challenging as he wasn't naturally going to explore by stuffing things in his mouth!

He is 7 now and eats normally and everything else about him is just fine! I think some children just learn about the world differently. I was worried like you are now and it all just worked itself out.

Dionysuss · 23/03/2015 16:16

My DS was similar. Both of his big sisters were self feeding at a much earlier age. DS wouldn't even put toys/anything he wasnt meant to have in his mouth at all. When he got to 10 months, when I was starting to really worry, he suddenly picked up a piece of toast and shoved it straight in.

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Original poster
herdwicksheep · 26/03/2015 23:59

Thanks all, hopefully he starts to show a bit of interest soon!

OP posts:
meandjulio · 27/03/2015 00:01

You could think about talking to your health visitor about a review from a speech therapist who looks at infant feeding? Probably by the time you get the appointment there'll be absolutely nothing to worry about though.

Original poster
herdwicksheep · 27/03/2015 00:10

Thanks meandjulio. I'm pretty sure he has a 9 month check with her soon so I'll mention it then.

OP posts:
CoodleMoodle · 28/03/2015 18:20

My DD is 1 and STILL doesn't put things in her mouth, especially food! All I got from the HV is "well, she's quite unusual!"... Very helpful.

I'm sure it'll all be okay for both her and your DS in the end, but I completely understand your frustration and worry!

FlysInDreams · 29/03/2015 11:38

I have nine and a half month old twin girls (non-identical) and though dtd1 can pick up and use a cup or bottle, and sometimes eat finger foods, dtd2 will only hold things and examine them. She usually cries if we try to get her to drink from a bottle or beaker herself, though she will occasionally do so. She will eat finger foods if fed them bit by bit.

WindYourBobbinUp · 29/03/2015 11:42

My DS 7 months is the same. I don't know the answer though! He also has no interest in rolling, crawling but is trying to standby grabbing things. I think some babies just go about things differently

TittingAbout · 29/03/2015 11:44

Mine didn't put anything in her mouth until 10.5 months. BLW did work for her - she just wasn't ready for food yet!
I was very worried as her peers were all eating big meals by then, but she's just fine, of course.

GardeningWithDynamite · 29/03/2015 11:50

My DS doesn't put anything except his fingers in his mouth either. It's not because he can't see them and his fine motor control is good (because he can pick bits of fluff off the carpet Blush) but he just doesn't seem to want to. He won't hold a cup to drink from and any finger food you give him just gets torn apart and then thrown.

HVs also weren't much help. They did suggest one of those food nets. He'll quite happily suck on it but won't hold it himself.

Littlelighthouse · 29/03/2023 17:43

I know this thread is quite old now, but I just wondered if anyone had an update on their little one?
My seven month old daughter did put everything in her mouth until about a month ago. She's never put food in her mouth, but she now doesn't put toys or objects in either. She can pick up objects and really inspect them, but will not put them in her mouth.
Going to mention it to the health visitor, but I'd love to hear how your children are now 🙂

Brodybear02 · 08/09/2023 17:12

hi littlelighthouse. I’m going through this atm! Do you have any update on your little one? Xx

Littlelighthouse · 08/09/2023 20:16

Hi @Brodybear02, my daughter is 13 months now and I think it was just a phase/teething! Once she hit eight months everything started going back in her mouth again and she also started feeding herself properly. I'm going to assume teething played a huge part because she had quite a few come through in the weeks after. But now nothing is safe from being chewed again!
She can still be a little princess with food and pass it to us to put in her mouth, but I think that's just her little sassy personality 😂

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