Is this normal?? 9mo

[MinniesMouses]

my 9mo pretty much puts everything to his mouth! I try and encourage him not to and I’ve been showing him how to play with some toys but most the time he does just want to put it in his mouth?

He’s got 8 teeth so does this like stop when he’s not teething anymore? I feel like he gets a new tooth every week haha

I ask as well because his birthday and Christmas are sooo close so we’re getting stuff for him but I look at some toys and think would he play with it?? But I guess I need to buy for the next year as he’ll probably start playing more ??

I think it's normal. Babies explore with their mouth. My LB will be 9 months this month and everything still goes in his mouth (he has 2 teeth erupted so far)

Yes. My dd is 13 months and everything still goes in her mouth 😆

Yes totally normal. That's what they do at this age. They keep getting new teeth until they're about two and putting stuff in their mouth can continue until then as well.

Good toys at this age are things that have buttons to press with lights and sounds, or things that move by themselves, stacking cups, things they can take in and out of other things. Little chunky cars or animals to push around, mega blocks or Duplo to bash together, books like that's not my lion (etc), stuff that makes noise -crinkly things or rattles or a drum to bash. Things with elements to explore on the side like wheels to spin, beads to push along a rail, cogs that turn. Anything like this.

You probably have things around the house that he'd enjoy playing with or exploring, try a little saucepan and wooden spoon, some Tupperware type pots, empty rinsed out shampoo or coke bottle, empty egg carton.

Their play is basically exploration at this age, it's not play like you'd see with older children that has a narrative.

Of course it is. Children discover the world through their mouths and mouthing everything helps with weaning and speech.

Yes this is how they learn about the world.

Normal I'm afraid! Mouths are more sensitive than fingers, so that's how they have a good look at something. Mine is also totally uninterested in toys and would much rather go rummaging in the bin!

One day you'll just realise they don't do it anymore! Can't remember when it is but it does stop

It's good for him and developmentally normal. No need to try and stop him -- you'll only stop his learning process. They mainly explore with their mouths at that age.