Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Child Puts Everything In Mouth. Chews, Bites, Sucks On Everything. How To Stop This?
Question: I have a granddaughter who puts everything in her mouth. Her crib is a total mess. She chews, bites, sucks on everything. She is four years old. What can we do about this. What are some of the causes? We are desperately afraid that she will get poisoned, etc.
Hello,
thanks for the query
Each child has his or her own way of exploring things. Some do by putting everything in their mouths. On the other hand, putting of things in the mouth could be a sign of fixation after the age of 3. Fixation is a learned habit that becomes more or less part of the individual. However, fixation is a rare case.
You need to do the following;
-take note of the moments that she puts the things in her mouth; probably during moments when she is idle or concentrating on some thing
-if she has particular moments that she puts the stuffs, always try to break the moments by changing the scene.
- avoid letting things around her, put things she is not suppose to touch on heights she can not reach
- Most importantly do not shout at her, remember she is just a child and exploring. Each time you find her putting some thing that she is not suppose to, gently remove it and say to her NO, and always praise her if she does remove the stuff.
In a nut shell, the best approach would be obtained after observing her well.
Hope i have answered your query. If you do have further query, i will be glad to help.
Best regards
thanks for the query
Each child has his or her own way of exploring things. Some do by putting everything in their mouths. On the other hand, putting of things in the mouth could be a sign of fixation after the age of 3. Fixation is a learned habit that becomes more or less part of the individual. However, fixation is a rare case.
You need to do the following;
-take note of the moments that she puts the things in her mouth; probably during moments when she is idle or concentrating on some thing
-if she has particular moments that she puts the stuffs, always try to break the moments by changing the scene.
- avoid letting things around her, put things she is not suppose to touch on heights she can not reach
- Most importantly do not shout at her, remember she is just a child and exploring. Each time you find her putting some thing that she is not suppose to, gently remove it and say to her NO, and always praise her if she does remove the stuff.
In a nut shell, the best approach would be obtained after observing her well.
Hope i have answered your query. If you do have further query, i will be glad to help.
Best regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
