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0-1 year old: his mouth is the source of all his pleasures
Whether it is to satisfy your hunger or to comfort yourself by breastfeeding, your baby’s pleasures all pass through his mouth. This is called in psychology the “oral stage”. A period during which, according to Freud, sucking is the source of all pleasures. Very naturally, it is therefore through his mouth that a baby seeks to appropriate the world around him. Complement of his sight and his touch, his mouth allows him to better discover his body (his fingers, his feet…), but also all the objects which come to his hand.
Baby has little cannibalistic urges
Does your baby sometimes like to nibble on your shoulder or chin when you play with him? This is completely normal, and in no way a mark of aggression. He only satisfies his instinctual pleasures, a period that specialists call the “oral sadistic” or “oral cannibalic” stage. Somewhat scary terms which only mean that your baby is now discovering the pleasure of biting. A strange desire that can also sometimes coincide with periods of teething. By putting pressure on his gums, your baby tries to soothe them. This is the right time to buy him a teething ring, it will be effective in relieving him.
To avoid accidents, vigilance is essential
If the age at all in the mouth is a natural and necessary period, it should nonetheless receive your full attention. At first, the risks are low. Lying on his back or stomach, your baby can usually only grab his toys (make sure they have the CE standard). But as soon as he begins to crawl, move, or even stand up, you must be extra vigilant. In the park, your baby will surely take as much pleasure in discovering the leaves as the pieces of wood and dog droppings. At home, he won’t make a difference between the peanuts, the keys or the tube of cream… placed on the coffee table. In the room of his elders, also beware of toys that are too small and not suitable for his age. Short, be careful and prevent the accident as much as possible. And if despite all these recommendations, it happens, have the right reflexes.
Baby puts everything in his mouth: what hygiene measures to adopt?
On this point, pediatricians are unanimous: all in the mouth never made a child sick. Even if your baby loves to chew on the handle of the cart while shopping or lick the windows they find in their way, don’t panic. Clear your mind that he’s swallowing a whole stash of germs and just keep a healthy house. Rest assured, his little habit of putting everything he finds in his mouth will pass with age, as soon as he has found other ways of discovering the world.