We've often wondered about babies' need to put everything they see in their mouths. In the first few months of life, babies' vision and hearing aren't fully developed, so when they see an object, simply looking at it isn't enough; they need to put it in their mouths to explore it. This instinctive act helps develop the coordination of the jaw, tongue, and lips, facilitating chewing and language development.
Babies have the sucking instinct since they are in the mother's womb, at that stage they already suck their thumb, it is something that is part of their intellectual development. The oral phase begins from birth and usually lasts until 18 months, which is why much of the physical and emotional energy is found in the baby's mouth.
It is a natural, necessary and very intuitive stage, in which they discover everything that is around them, connecting with their outside world and their body. All this integration gives them security and makes them feel calmer. Thanks to this innate impulse, the curiosity to explore begins.
At around three months old, babies discover their bodies, their feet, and their hands, and they're eager to put them in their mouths. You've probably noticed their ability to fit their entire fist in their mouths; they might be hungry or restless, and this calms them down. These actions also prepare them to suck and feed more effectively. This behavior isn't just related to feeding; their mouths allow them to explore and distinguish different flavors, textures, and temperatures, and little by little, they also learn the function of each object. They usually recognize objects in their environment first by observing them, then they put them in their mouths, taste them, and chew on them with their gums, and this whole process brings them comfort.
Now that we know this behavior is an important part of their development, we should avoid forbidding them from doing it . We should simply pay close attention to everything they put in their mouths, and if they put something they shouldn't in their mouths, we should explain why, trying to replace it with another object. This stage is crucial, so it's best not to restrict them, as doing so could delay certain vocalizations and learning.
