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I have 2 boys that are 18 months old and EVERYTHING goes in their mouth and I mean everything. Their parents stick their pacifier in their mouths constantly. I have been limiting it during the day because they tend to share, they lose them etc. I think by that age, it's not a bad thing to limit it to naps. As soon as mom and dad comes, the boys start fussing and the parent starts digging for the pacifier. How in the world do I keep these toys out of their mouths? It's driving me crazy especially since one of them has a runny nose today.
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I just got a new 24 month old that still mouths all my toys. I started shadowing her and everytime a toy would go towards her mouth, I would stop her hand and say "toys stay out of mouth" and then have her hand me the toy. She got really tired of handing over every toy. It took 2 weeks until she stopped putting everything in her mouth during free time while I'm supervising close by. I still have to have her shadow me when I leave the room because the second I turn my back she is trying to put something in her mouth. It kind of seems like she is testing me at this point though because she looks straight at me when doing it and puts the toy down as soon as I see her. I know that will be hard for you with 2 younger ones, but it is starting to work a little for me. I'll be following this thread to see if anyone has any better ideas. -
I have been on them every minute with eh eh no toys in the mouth for weeks. I haven't taken them away though. Maybe I should try that. They both even go up to my furniture and stick their mouths all over it. ewwwwComment
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Oh yes, I feel your pain. I've caught this one ****ing on the baby gate, the playpen, my throw pillows, my bookshelves! Ugh! The saliva on everything is ridiculous. Yes, try taking the toys away and see if that helps. I also thought of having specific toys for her that she IS allowed to **** on and gating off a specific area for her to do that in. Maybe it's a sensory need, I don't know! That may be easier for you than following them around.Comment
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I really think that alot of this problem is with the pacifier and the moment the parents walk in the door they stick it in their mouths. Two separate families I should note. They're so used to having something in their mouth that they feel that need?Comment
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At what age do you guys start limiting the pacifier? These two are totally addictedComment
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I have two that were like that when they started. Always have a pacifier in their mouth. I used to let them have it at nap time but then they would throw it outside the playpen and wouldn't be able to fall back to sleep without it. So now they get here, I put it in their bag, and it it stays there. They are constantly with toys in their mouth. I do think there is a relationship between the fact that they always have a soother and the need to always have something in their mouth. As soon as the toy comes up towards their mouth I take it and say we don't put toys in our mouths and put it into a bucket for cleaning. I have been at it for 3 months with one, and I'm just starting to see improvements. The other 1 still has a ways to go.Comment
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I think this is true as well. I have two dcks, 19 and 20 mos, who are always putting toys in their mouth. They use pacifiers at home but not at all at daycare, even at naptime. If they get a toy in their mouth I take it and toss it in the sink to be disinfected later. "You lick it, you lose it!" Maybe a warning first will work for your dcks? "If you put x toy in your mouth you're going to lose it!"
For one dck I gave her a teething ring; this presents its own challenges of course with other kids trying to take it but for this dck it worked really well.
As far as limiting the pacifier, in my center after 16 mos (and transition to toddler classroom) pacifiers are allowed ONLY at naptime if "needed". (And it's amazing how quickly the kids who "need" a pacifier to go to sleep at home learn to take a nap without one here!)
Usually I'm pretty grossed out by pacifiers but sometimes I wish the kids could use them just to keep all the toys out of their mouths!Comment
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I think it is pretty normal for 18 mos olds to put stuff in their mouths. It kind of comes with the shared environment and I try to keep it clean, but I think mouthing things is still a normal part of their growth at that age. As for the paci, I would ask mom and dad to leave a paci here and keep all others in the car. You can give it at nap and when they pick up, they need to wait to give it till they get to the car. Hopefully, they will cut it out eventutally, but at least this lets dck know that they won't have it at your house, except at naps. "dcm, we limit pacis to nap here, so when you pick up and dck gets fussy, please take them out to the car before you give them their paci. I am sure you understand it is confusing to them to get it when you arive, since they do not get to have it through out the day, with the exception of nap time. YOur cooperation is greatly appreciated and will help them transition to a paci free existence much more quickly!" Or something like that.Comment
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This is a pet peeve of mine. I get it that it's a developmental stage, but I don't feel I have to incorporate this in my home setting.
This bothers me so much that I put it in my contract that once the children establish teeth, (no more gnawing on my wood blocks!) I will start to work with them to not put toys in their mouth. And added...this will help to keep down the spread of germs, and reduce the risk of choking hazards.
I do what Indoorvoice said, shadow and have them hand over the toy. I also use the sign language for "no" and "mouth", while I tell them....not in your mouth. It takes time, but they eventually get it.Comment
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Me too!! Spit is grosssssss!This is a pet peeve of mine. I get it that it's a developmental stage, but I don't feel I have to incorporate this in my home setting.
This bothers me so much that I put it in my contract that once the children establish teeth, (no more gnawing on my wood blocks!) I will start to work with them to not put toys in their mouth. And added...this will help to keep down the spread of germs, and reduce the risk of choking hazards.
I do what Indoorvoice said, shadow and have them hand over the toy. I also use the sign language for "no" and "mouth", while I tell them....not in your mouth. It takes time, but they eventually get it.
You could try putting them in a play pen/highchair with a teether and tell them that's the only thing they can put in their mouth. When they are ready take it away, put it out of reach, reiterate no toys in the mouth and let them rejoin the group.Comment
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Yes, it's normal, but so is biting, hitting, and tantrums. Just because it's normal, doesn't mean it's ok and that we shouldn't be teaching them alternative behaviors. Because it is normal, we have to make sure we aren't punishing, but using gentle and respectful redirection to teach them that is not acceptable. I think an 18th month old is fully capable of understanding our intents if we approach it gently.Comment
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I use a noise that I make to remind them to stop. When I see the toy going for their mouth, I make the noise. Kind of like Pavlov's dog ...
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About 2/3 of the way through the day, I get so tired of saying eh eh, not in your mouth, eh eh not in your mouth. Rinse and repeat
. One of the dads shows up and he's not 1 foot in the door, junior says eh eh and dad grabs in teh bag for the pacifier. Really? Why is it that necessary?
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I don't allow pacifiers anywhere but in their bed. It will not come out at all. Even infants/young toddlers.
The two kids (15-18 months) who use one here have learned within a couple weeks; after nap is over, they pop it out of their mouths themselves and put it right back on the bed sheet (in their pack n plays).Comment
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