My son is almost 4 yrs old and everything goes in his mouth. What should I do?

Question

It don't matter what it is, it's in the mouth. I've taken the item away. Warned him about the concequences (swollow/dammage teeth etc.). Any ideas would be great!

Thanks!

Answer 1

he's a kid. that's normal. almost all kids do that, just let him be and he'll stop eventually. if he's four he'll be going to school soon if he's not there already, with other kis around, there's a good chance he'll stop

Answer 2

stay consistant. he's 4 there is no reason for this anymore! everytime you see him with something in his mouth don't give him a warning just take it away. Do not make an exception to this rule, do it first time, everytime. He will learn quickly

Answer 3

Hmm...what about giving him something spicy? Spicy enough to have a strong psychological effect, but not spicy enough to have a medical effect. It's an idea.

Answer 4

He is getting past the point where this is normal childhood behavior. I'd take him to the doctor. In the meantime just keep things clean, keep small and dangerous items out of his reach and keep explaining to him why it is a bad thing to do.

Answer 5

spank him

Answer 6

id smack his hand when he does it  h**l learn  not real hard just hard enough for him to realize he should not be doing this

Answer 7

This makes me wonder if it is just defiance.  If you tell him no and he does it despite your warnings and instructions then it is defiance and should be disciplined as such.  He is old enough to be at this stage.  If it seems like he just forgets or its a habit, work with him. If you can convince him its 'yucky' and help him remember, he should quit on his own. At this age he has formed habits that will take time and persistance to break, but he is old enough to help do it. Oh and keep your reasons simple, IE its yucky and will make you sick; only food goes in your mouth; or you could tell him its mean to stuff to put it in his mouth, convince him that the items don't like it... it might be worth a try... :)

Answer 8

Will my daughter is four and I actually told her when she was young that the only thing that goes in her mouth is food. Every time I caught her putting something in her mouth i would ask her was it food. She would say "no". I would say will what is it use for she would tell me and then I would say " Okay will since your not suppose to eat it please do not put it in your mouth do you understand. I hope this could help you it seems to work for me.

Answer 9

well a little boy doesn't know what consequences are.

if he chews on something that he isn't allowed to send him to time out for 5min.  then tell him that what he did was a bad thing to do because it can hurt you. and if he chews on the same thing again make it 10 min. in time out. he will get the idea on that,

(make a chart on what he has chewed so you know how long)

He will get threw this stage, it may take hard work but it will pay off at the end