My 1year 1month old son keeps everything to mouth, any action to be taken or is it normal? #asktheexpert

Question

Accepted Answer

finger, thumb, hand,things insertion in the oral cavity is very normal at this stage and usually it is due to teething pain the child is experiencing along with inflammation and pain in the gums.
just maintain hygiene of the child finger as well as any type of things which goes inside the oral cavity and also try to maintain the hygiene of cyour finger when you are touching the hands of the child.
to decrease the teething pain you can press the gums of the child and if the child is very irritable and crying for pain you can give paracetamol also.
it is a self limiting habit and no treatment is required.
but if hygiene is not maintained then dirty things going inside the oral cavity can cause infection fever vomiting and loose motions.

Accepted Answer

It's completely normal for babies, especially around one year old, to explore objects by putting them in their mouths. This behavior is part of their sensory exploration and helps them learn about the world around them. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. **Safety First**: Ensure that the objects your son puts in his mouth are clean, non-toxic, and not small enough to be a choking hazard. Keep small objects out of reach.

2. **Supervision**: Keep an eye on your son while he explores. This way, you can quickly intervene if he tries to put something unsafe in his mouth.

3. **Provide Safe Options**: Offer your son safe items to explore with his mouth, such as teething toys or clean, age-appropriate toys designed for chewing.

4. **Teething Relief**: If your son is teething, provide teething toys or chilled (not frozen) teethers to help soothe his gums.

5. **Encourage Other Activities**: Engage your son in activities that involve different senses, such as playing with textured toys, listening to music, or exploring with his hands and feet.

6. **Educate on Hygiene**: As your son grows, gently teach him about good hygiene, such as washing hands before eating and not putting dirty objects in his mouth.

Overall, mouthing objects at this age is a normal part of development and helps babies learn about their environment. By providing safe and supervised opportunities for exploration, you can support his natural curiosity while ensuring his safety.