Why Do Babies Put Toys in Their Mouths? Understanding Mouthing, Sensory Learning, Shared Toys, and Infant Development

A few weeks ago during one of our infant drop-in programs, I noticed two very different parenting responses happening at the same time.

One baby picked up a soft sensory toy and immediately brought it to their mouth.

The first mom smiled and said, “Of course. Everything goes in the mouth right now.”

A few minutes later, another baby did the exact same thing with a different toy.

This time, the parent quickly removed the toy and gently said, “No, Don’t put that in your mouth."

Neither parent was trying to do anything wrong.

In fact, both were trying to protect and support their child.

Moments like this happen often in infant programs and raise an interesting question:

Should babies be allowed to put shared toys in their mouths?

The answer is not simply yes or no.

To understand why, it helps to first understand what babies are actually doing when they mouth objects.

Why Babies Explore Through Their Mouths: Sensory Learning and Infant Development

Adults usually explore objects with their eyes and hands.

Babies use their mouths too.

Long before children can describe textures, shapes, temperatures, or materials with words, they gather information through sensory exploration. Researchers have found that oral exploration plays an important role in helping infants learn about the properties of objects and their environment.

The mouth contains many sensitive nerve endings.

When a baby puts a toy into their mouth, they are learning:

• Is it hard or soft?

• Smooth or bumpy?

• Warm or cool?

• Flexible or rigid?

This is one reason why mouthing behaviour becomes so common during the first year of life.

In fact, putting objects into the mouth is considered a typical developmental milestone during infancy and often becomes especially noticeable around six months of age.

For many babies, mouthing is not misbehaviour. It is learning.

For infants, the mouth functions as one of their earliest scientific tools. Through mouthing, babies investigate, compare, and gather information about the world around them long before they have the language to describe what they are experiencing.

Shared Toys and Germ Concerns: Finding a Safe Balance

Even when parents understand that mouthing is developmentally normal, shared toys can create understandable concerns.

Many families worry about:

• Germs

• Illness

• Cold and flu viruses

• Toys that multiple children have already touched or mouthed

These concerns are completely reasonable.

Parents are responsible for keeping their children healthy, and seeing a toy move from one baby's mouth to another can understandably feel uncomfortable.

At the same time, early childhood programs are aware of these concerns as well.

Shared toys used by infants are typically cleaned and sanitised regularly according to health and safety procedures. Programs often remove mouthed toys when necessary and follow cleaning routines designed to reduce the spread of illness.

The goal is not to eliminate every germ, which is impossible, but to create a reasonably safe environment where children can continue exploring and learning.

Safe exploration and good hygiene practices can exist together.

Mouthing, Teething, and Typical Infant Development

Mouthing often increases during periods of teething.

As new teeth begin emerging, babies may seek additional pressure and sensory input through chewing and mouthing objects. This can help relieve some of the discomfort associated with teething while also providing sensory feedback.

Many parents notice that a baby who previously mouthed objects occasionally suddenly begins putting nearly everything into their mouth.

This temporary increase is usually a normal part of development.

As children approach the end of the first year and begin developing stronger motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and visual exploration skills, many naturally begin relying less on mouthing as their primary way of learning about objects.

Their exploration becomes broader and increasingly dependent on:

• Hands

• Eyes

• Movement

• Manipulation

• Cause-and-effect learning

The goal is not to stop exploration.

The goal is to make exploration safe.

When Parents Should Redirect Mouthing Behaviour

For babies under twelve months, frequent mouthing is usually expected and developmentally appropriate.

Rather than stopping all mouthing behaviour, focus on safety.

Consider:

• Providing safe, age-appropriate toys

• Supervising closely during play

• Avoiding small objects that could become choking hazards

• Following your program’s health and safety guidelines

• Redirecting only when an object is unsafe

Redirection may be necessary when a child attempts to mouth:

• Small objects

• Damaged toys

• Sharp objects

• Non-child-safe materials

• Potential choking hazards

In most cases, mouthing gradually decreases as children develop new ways of exploring and interacting with their environment.

While mouthing is typically expected during infancy, families may wish to speak with a healthcare professional if a child persistently places non-food items in their mouth well beyond the typical developmental period or if there are concerns about safety, health, or overall development.

Wrapping Up Today's Wonder

Watching babies put toys into their mouths can sometimes make adults uncomfortable, especially when those toys are shared.

But from a developmental perspective, mouthing is often exactly what we would expect to see during infancy.

Babies are not trying to be messy.

They are conducting some of their earliest science experiments.

For infants, mouthing is often one of the earliest ways they investigate, compare, and learn about the world around them.

As adults, our role is not to eliminate exploration altogether.

Our role is to provide safe opportunities for children to explore, learn, and grow while keeping health and safety in mind.

By balancing safety with developmentally appropriate exploration, we can support both children's learning and families' peace of mind.

Information Table: Mouthing, Sensory Learning & Shared Toys Summary

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Recommended Age

Birth–12 Months

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Developmental Focus

Skills Supported: Sensory exploration, cognitive development, oral sensory learning, object investigation, and cause-and-effect learning.

Expert ECE Advice: Mouthing is a common and developmentally appropriate way for infants to explore the properties of objects during the first year of life.

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Shared Toys in Infant Programs

Recommended Practice: Follow program cleaning procedures and provide close supervision during play.

Developmental Key Point: Shared toys can still support valuable exploration when health and safety practices are consistently followed.

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When to Redirect

Recommended Practice: Redirect only when an object is unsafe, damaged, too small, or not age appropriate.

Developmental Key Point: Safe exploration helps infants learn while reducing unnecessary risks.

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Safety Tips

Recommended Practices: Supervise closely, inspect toys regularly, and remove choking hazards immediately.

Safety Reminder: Always follow age recommendations and ensure toys are large enough to help prevent choking.

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Family Tip

Recommended Approach: Focus on providing safe objects for exploration rather than trying to stop all mouthing behaviour.

Expert ECE Advice: Most infants naturally reduce mouthing as they develop more advanced ways of exploring through movement, manipulation, and problem-solving.