When do they stop putting EVERYTHING in their mouths?

Alright, so I know this is completely normal and developmentally appropriate, but I can't remember when DS1 quit doing this. It's not a big deal in our house where we are semi-childproofed, at least enough so there's little on the floor they can choke on.

The trouble is now I'd like to take them outside some, not in the stroller, just hanging out on a blanket or in the grass. No way is that happening yet!! The whole time I'm staring at both of them, batting their hands away when they try to eat grass or leaves or rocks. Then DS gets upset (he's sensitive) and DD just laughs at me and does it again. It's not worth going outside, but it's so beautiful, I just want to hang and let the other kids play. Our only option right now for enjoying the outdoors is taking walks in the stroller, where I can keep things out of their mouths!!

How old are they before they either quit putting things in their mouth naturally, or they are old enough to understand when you tell them they can't??

Any tricks for teaching them this early??

 

This is one of those stages that drives me :crazy: For the twins it was around 18 months, my youngest is 13 months and is still doing it constantly. It really helps when they start walking and have other things on their mind. :lol:

 

Sorry to say it, but it was closer to two for us. I actaully put an ad on craigslist last summer to get rid of the landscape rocks (for free!) in our backyard because every time we went back there, they would put them in their mouths.

Fast forward to now at 27 months we are now dealing with them throwing the rocks. :headbang: and no longer trying to eat them.

I had two people come to remove the rocks, but the did not talk them all so I still have to deal with it.

What helped at that age was to have toys in the yard that will interest them. We got a hand me down playhouse and once I put that in the yard and they had something to play with, it cut down on the rock eating.

 

Mine are 16 months and they were doing it like crazy up to now. Now that they walk well they have cut it down a lite bit. As above said I believe it lessens gradually whe they have other things in mind!

 

I was going to post this EXACT question today!! I'm so sad that I can't take them outside 'cept in the stroller. Hardly seems fair! I'll be watching with extreme interest (and fingers crossed for an idea)!

 

Mine are a lot better with it now at almost 19 months, but will still occasionally get something they aren't supposed to and pop it in there. They are good about dropping something if I say it is "icky" and if I say no they won't put in their mouths (for now at least). At about the age yours are, I started asking them to give me things that they shouldn't have (and some things they should) and now they gladly bring me things that they are studying and considering munching on with a "here go" (here you go) and a big smile because they are so proud! I let mine play in my backyard yesterday afternoon and they each grabbed a flower (dandelion from not weeding) and carried it around but didn't try to put other things in their mouths like grass or dog doo :FIFblush: . Maybe if you go outside put a blanket down and give them something they are allowed to hold onto like a ball or a block and maybe it will distract them. I keep balls in the backyard and they are so interested in playing with those that they don't really care about the grass or leaves or rocks. However, I am sure they have eaten all three of those at one point and they are no worse off for it!