Son's Oral Fixation

My son is 3 1/2 and he still puts things in his mouth occasionally when he isn't thinking about it. He has gotten significantly better about it as he's gotten older, but it takes concentration. I liken it to someone who bites on pens/pencils or twists their hair--its just something they do without thinking about it. For him though, I was worried about choking hazards so I made it a point to work with him on it. It used to be constant, now it only happens when he is "zoned out"--when he is really concentrating hard on a task, when he is really into a story he's listening to or when he is watching a movie.

Basically every time I see him with his hand in his mouth I tell him to take his hand out of his mouth--calmly and nonchalantly--don't make a big deal out of it. When we are watching a movie I hold him in my lap and "hug" him so that he can't really put his hands into his mouth (he is a cuddler so he doesn't mind this, but some kids might...). If I see him sticking things in his mouth I'll tell him to take a drink from his sippy cup. I give him big things to hold on to so that his hands are full. We play "touch your ears, nose, head, etc.", "clap your hands", etc. when we notice him doing it. Basically anything I can do to keep his hands out of his mouth when he's concentrating hard on something so it breaks the "habit" he has formed. Like I said, it takes time, but I've noticed a significant improvement.

Good luck!

I don't really know if I have any advice for you, but I can relate. My daughter is almost 32 months and she does the same thing. She is always sticking her fingers or her whole hand in her mouth and sticking her tongue out and grabbing it with her hand. I wasn't sure if this was weird or just a phase or what, but at least I know I am not alone. I always tell her to stop putting her hands in her mouth because they are dirty and germy and I don't want her to get sick. She will usually listen after I tell her a couple of times, but then she does again when she isn't thinking about it. I am guessing it is just a phase, maybe curiosity with their tongue and what not. I don't know but I am glad I am not alone.

-A.-

Ok...you or other mom's may not like this, but it worked for me & my three children under the age of 5.

I mixed hand lotion with tabasco sauce.

Plain & simple....But it worked! Now I just show the tabasco bottle or simple place it (as a reminder) on a counter where they can see it.

Good Luck!

my daughter used to do weird oral things as well...she used to try to stick her whole hand in her mouth and she would gag on it, yet she'd continue to do it.
anyway, she just grew out of it and doesn't seem to have any issues about it now.

My thirteen year old still chews on his fingers when he isn't paying attention. It's a kid thing.

It is very common for boys to have the "oral fixation." I have 2 boys and they BOTH are like this! I agree with the last response....just calmly remind him, and move on. My older son is 5 and I still find him doing it! It is wearing off....so, don't worry too much. Just be consistent.

Good luck!!