Child Mouthing Decisions
By Esther, Bsc Neuroscience,
Don’t you love it when your little ones grab your attention by picking up objects and placing them in their mouth. Your phone, cards, toys, or blankets – you name it, it has likely been in your baby’s mouth. Mouthing is a completely normal part of a baby’s development. So, when does this action start? And why do babies do this? Does mouthing indicate a problem? And does it ever stop?
When does mouthing occur?
Before talking about their grimacing strategies, which is another word for mouthing, we’ll start with the idea of infant reflexes. These are reflexes that first occur in the brain when infants are starting to recognize or explore their environment. Babies are born with grasping and sucking reflexes that are utilized during breastfeeding. Around 6 weeks of age, infants begin to investigate their environment (both by looking, touching and mouthing). This starts first with their own fists in their mouth, followed by their little fingers, and eventually everything they can take in. The behavior continues until about 24 months. (Groot et al., 2024)
What are the reasons for mouthing
A developing brain like that of a baby’s, tries to understand their environment in a way that encourages them to adapt with their senses and perception of objects. The act of touching or picking up objects with their hands to their mouth, is a form of tactile exploration (Urqueta et al., 2020). Once babies develop their infant reflexes - which is how they grip and hold things, they put everything into their mouth as a way of exploring the world around them (Fagan et al., 2007). Apart from the sensations with their environment, there are other factors that might encourage this behaviour including teething and self-soothing. Teething can be a frustrating time in an infants’ development. This action causes a lot of discomfort for the infant and the most challenging part is that they are unable to express their feelings about it. So, what do they do? They cry. And to reduce the discomfort, they mouth on something.
Does it harm or benefit the Infant
Sometimes caregivers are concerned about their baby’s mouthing behavior. There are different variables and questions that could stop them from letting their baby mouth something. Are there choking hazards to look out for? Are there germs that can be transmitted through exposure with different objects? Some research shows that mouthing also plays a role in developing the immune system (Groot et al., 2024). So, should we allow babies to put things in their mouth? Although this is not an easy stage for both (babies and especially caregivers), it is also important to remember that what your baby does at this stage, traditionally morphs into learning and growth.
What are safety tips for infant mouthing
While child mouthing is proven to be useful in your child’s development (Groot et al., 2024), it is also wise to take some precautions and preventive measures that could promote their safety. Babies need plenty of age-appropriate toys that they can safely mouth. Leave out toys that are made of food safe silicon that do not contain any harmful substances or chemicals. Examples are wooden and cooling teethers, which are made with EVA plastic and sterilized water without PVC and any hormone disrupting BPA. (Groot et al., 2024)
The question might be asked, what happens if my baby doesn’t mouth? In relation to all that was said, mouthing is something that depends entirely on the baby. Do not be alarmed, it doesn’t mean that they’re not capable of becoming or doing things like other children, it may just mean that as little as they are, they are subjected to their own preferences. Everything takes time. Just to be on the safe side though, if they don’t pick up mouthing before 24 months (Juberg et al., 2001), it is advisable to visit a pediatrician.
For more information on Ages and Stages in development contact Family Centre in Lethbridge.
References:
Urqueta Alfaro, Andrea, et al. “Tactile perception by mouth: Perceiving properties of objects when vision is impaired.” British Journal of Visual Impairment, vol. 39, no. 3, 2020, pp. 278–290, https://doi.org/10.1177/0264619620935938.
Groot , M.E., et al. “Mouthing Behaviour of Young Children - Wur E-Depot Home.” Mouthing Behavior of Young Children , edepot.wur.nl/384470. Accessed 17 Jan. 2024.
Fagan, Mary K, and Jana M Iverson. “The Influence of Mouthing on Infant Vocalization.” Infancy : The Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2600509/.
Juberg, Daland, et al. “An Observable Study of Object Mouthing Behavior by Young Children .” Publications.Aap.Org, 1 Jan. 2001, publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/107/1/135/66554/An-Observational-Study-of-Object-Mouthing-Behavior?redirectedFrom=fulltext.