Baby sucking on stuffed animal.

[Akinesia]

This is my first baby so I'm clueless about certain things. I know babies tend to put anything and everything in their mouths. Well lately my son has taken to thoroughly mouthing and sucking on his plush stuffed toy. It's made of a fabric that appears durable and doesn't pull apart or ball up easily. It doesn't seem to have any bits that could readily come off in his mouth and the label said it was safe from 0+ months. He just loves this thing, and always wants to have it in his mouth. Seems kinda gross to me though to suck on fabric, and I wonder if he could get the stuffing out eventually, so I'm not really sure what to do. I'd hate to take away the toy he seems to love best. I have quite a few chew toys for him, but it seems this stuffed toy has been selected as the one. Anyone else have a baby who does this? Is it totally normal and nothing to worry about if I keep the toy clean, or should I try to stop the behavior?

 

[CharmingBeake]

This is my first baby so I'm clueless about certain things. I know babies tend to put anything and everything in their mouths. Well lately my son has taken to thoroughly mouthing and sucking on his plush stuffed toy. It's made of a fabric that appears durable and doesn't pull apart or ball up easily. It doesn't seem to have any bits that could readily come off in his mouth and the label said it was safe from 0+ months. He just loves this thing, and always wants to have it in his mouth. Seems kinda gross to me though to suck on fabric, and I wonder if he could get the stuffing out eventually, so I'm not really sure what to do. I'd hate to take away the toy he seems to love best. I have quite a few chew toys for him, but it seems this stuffed toy has been selected as the one. Anyone else have a baby who does this? Is it totally normal and nothing to worry about if I keep the toy clean, or should I try to stop the behavior?

I'm pretty sure its just what babies do at this age. Starting at about 3 months my DD did this...and she hasn't stopped. We also think she's teething though. As long as its a safe toy, and you can keep it clean, I wouldn't worry about it. Let him enjoy his chew toy!

 

[Jaylynne]

LO loves chewing his stuffed elephant. He chews the trunk and loves to grab and chew the feet when I hang it on his bouncer or carseat. Here's a pic of it. https://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd390/jaylynned2/fe31615e.jpg

It's fine to chew as that's what they're made for. I'd just keep checking for any little tears or loose threads. I wash mine with a damp rag after he sleeps.

 

[robinator]

He probably loves the texture. My dd has a thing for washcloths

 

[Jaylynne]

Yup probably robinator, he also chews his burp cloths

 

[Akinesia]

This is my first baby so I'm clueless about certain things. I know babies tend to put anything and everything in their mouths. Well lately my son has taken to thoroughly mouthing and sucking on his plush stuffed toy. It's made of a fabric that appears durable and doesn't pull apart or ball up easily. It doesn't seem to have any bits that could readily come off in his mouth and the label said it was safe from 0+ months. He just loves this thing, and always wants to have it in his mouth. Seems kinda gross to me though to suck on fabric, and I wonder if he could get the stuffing out eventually, so I'm not really sure what to do. I'd hate to take away the toy he seems to love best. I have quite a few chew toys for him, but it seems this stuffed toy has been selected as the one. Anyone else have a baby who does this? Is it totally normal and nothing to worry about if I keep the toy clean, or should I try to stop the behavior?

I'm pretty sure its just what babies do at this age. Starting at about 3 months my DD did this...and she hasn't stopped. We also think she's teething though. As long as its a safe toy, and you can keep it clean, I wouldn't worry about it. Let him enjoy his chew toy!

Thanks. Yeah, my son is teething too. I give him teething rings and stuff, but nothing holds his attention like this stuffed animal. My gut reaction was to want to take it away from him. It grosses me out, but I guess they wouldn't label it as safe from birth if it wasn't safe for a baby to suck on. I'm hoping he'll grow out of this fast and save poor Mr. Caterpillar for cuddles only and start chewing one of his actual teethers

 

[Akinesia]

It's fine to chew as that's what they're made for. I'd just keep checking for any little tears or loose threads. I wash mine with a damp rag after he sleeps.

See, that's the thing. It didn't seem like this toy was made as a chew toy, that's certainly not why I bought it anyways (not that LO knows this). It's just a cuddly stuffed animal I expected him to hug and pet, not try to dissolve with saliva . The manufacturers must have had this possibility in mind for it to be meant for a young baby, but still gives me shivers that he could like such a texture. Myself, it would make me gag. I guess in hindsight it's silly of me to not realize it would end up in his mouth often.

 

[robinator]

Yup probably robinator, he also chews his burp cloths

Babies. So weird! Sigh....

 

[Reno]

I look forward to when my LO can find a toy to chew on! He's only just found his hands and chews on them until they are red!

 

[JessPape]

Very normal... Just keep checking it for wears/tears.