As much as you may want to make your baby stop, placing objects in the mouth is part of an infant's normal development. Also called mouthing, babies put things in their mouth to explore the world around them. An infant does not understand the word "no," and you cannot prevent him from using his mouth to learn. To keep babies safe, adults must diligently supervise infants and provide safe toys that they can mouth that do not pose a choking risk. According to Safe Kids USA, children under the age of one year are the most likely to choke and sustain an airway obstruction injury.
Step 1
Allow your baby to play with objects that are safe and too big to go all the way into her mouth. Use the round opening of an empty toilet paper tube to check the size of objects. If the object can fit into the opening, it is too small to be given to your baby. Check toys and other objects to make sure they do not have rough edges or small pieces that could break off and pose a choking risk. Never leave potentially dangerous items, such as candy, balloons or coins where your baby could grab them.
Step 2
Clean and sanitize toys to ensure your child does not pick up germs or bacteria when he places toys in his mouth. Make sure childcare providers keep shared toys clean. Babies will inevitably place some objects in their mouth that are dirty, but most of the time this will not make them sick.
Step 3
Avoid leaving toxic cleaners and dangerous objects, such as glass or magnets within your baby's reach. Make sure your home is child-proofed and you have secured all materials that could pose a threat to your baby.
Step 4
React quickly if your child places a dangerous object in her mouth. If the object is still in her mouth, but she will not spit it out, you can gently squeeze her cheeks to make her mouth open so you can use your finger to sweep out the object. If she swallowed something small, such as a marble or coin, call your child's physician. You must call 911 or poison control at 800-222-1222 immediately if your baby has ingested something poisonous. If your baby is choking, call 911 and perform the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the object.
Tips and Warnings
- Parents and childcare providers should receive training on basic first aid, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver so they are prepared in the event of an emergency. Babies under the age of one require a different set of instructions for emergency first aid.
