At What Age Do Kids Stop Putting Everything in Their Mouths?

My 13 year old still puts stuff in his mouth.......so hopefully by the time hes 18 he will stop. :) Good luck

Children that continue to put everything in their mouth are seeking input to calm themselves down. PM me for more info.

I think every kid is different. My daughter never was one for putting much in her mouth besides food, so I would have to guess around a year (or even just before) she was no longer doing it. I avoided almost everything that was a choking hazard for her age but I also trusted her more because I knew it wasn't her nature to stick things in her mouth that didn't belong. Her second cousin was still doing it with some things at 3 (and they are only 3 months apart). I remember when they were 3 DD having a bunch of silly bands that she would wear like you are supposed to and her cousin kept trying to chew on hers! I was like, auuugh, get those out of your mouth!

A four year old that I watch still does this and it drives me crazy. So gross, especially when it's not your child, lol. Germ fest!

I SOOO feel your pain! My first born never put anything except her pacifier in her mouth - she would even bring me the smallest dustballs she'd find on the floor when crawling or just go throw them away herself! Number two was/is completely opposite! She'll be 5 in 1 week and she STILL puts stuff in her mouth! We've even had to go to the ER once (she was 3) after she swallowed a toy - only to find out a few days later that she ASSUMED she swallowed it because she fell asleep playing with it and then couldn't find it when she woke up! She did successfully swallow a different toy once, too (much smaller thank goodness) and it passed a couple of days later (ew!) Now if she's watching TV or doing something else that has her attention, if she's holding something like a toy, a headband or barrette or such it'll inevitably be hanging out of her mouth. Her latest thing is to suck on her hair! Unfortunately I have no words of wisdom for you other than that you're not alone! I've tried so much to get her to stop but I'm pretty sure she doesn't do it intentionally - I think maybe we took too long to wean her from her pacifier and that "comfort factor" of having something in her mouth to suck on stuck!

Some kids NEVER, my son, now 12 still does it. It is called an oral fixation. Similarly, nail biting is also an oral issue. I have 1 of those also, it drives me nuts from time to time. However NOTHING has managed to help her to stop. Not even pus-oozing infections. Sorry TMI
M. F

My guy has never been one to put things in his mouth. He's 31 months, and since before he was a year old he hasn't put anything but bottle, sippy or food in his mouth. He hated teethers, looked at me as if I was crazy, lol : )

All kids are different, typically it's around 3 when they stop, which is why all the small products have the warning labels "Choking Hazard, Do Not Give To Children Under 3." Instead of telling her that babies do that (maybe she secretly wants to be a baby?) tell her how dirty it is and that she could make herself sick. Hang in there : )

My son is 18 months old and while he does this very little compared to a year ago - it still happens if he has something new. Some things are impossible to keep out of his mouth - like crayons!

My 3.5 year old was chewing on my husband's napkin before dinner tonight (we use cloth).

I have no idea, but my daughter still puts everything in her mouth. Luckily, my almost 2 year old has never been oral like that. He really only puts food in his mouth.

My son stopped at age one year. He never puts things in his mouth anymore at 18 months. All children are different. I think the typical age is 3. My kids are all picky and don't like tastes and textures so I didn't have any problems after age 2, thankfully. Keep on him. He'll out grow it eventually.

4 is pretty old to be doing that. However, every kid is different. Maybe he likes the attention ge gets when he does it? Perhaps reward your child for NOT doing it. One day try "Oh I just realized you didn't put anything in your mouth since we came home! How grown up! You have earned......" Reward can be an extra book at bed time, extra 10 minutes on the computer, whatever he would value.

OK, quit going crazy. That projects the habit. Perhaps introducing veggies and fruit as a snack, and she is at the age where she can learn new habits.

My six year old still puts things in her mouth from time to time. I do ask her if she is 2 years old.

My 4 year old does SOMETIMES. It's smart to teach her not to. She'll catch on eventually! Good luck!!!! :-)