Oral sensory seeking is a normal part of development for babies and infants. Babies are born with a sucking reflex which promotes latching and feeding. They will often use sucking as a form of regulation, to bond with a caregiver or self soothe when unsettledAt 18-24 months children tend to put everything in their mouth to explore the world around them. It can help them learn about the size, shape and texture of objects.
By the time a child reaches two years old, oral seeking behaviours typically become less common. If you are unsure whether your child’s behaviour is age appropriate, a functional capacity assessment can help identify your child’s needs and guide next steps. If oral seeking behaviours continue after this age, it is recommended you consult with your paediatrician or an occupational therapist in Adelaide as it may be linked with developmental delay, sensory processing differences or additional needs.
When should I be concerned about my child’s chewing?
While some oral seeking is a normal part of early development, there are signs that suggest it may be worth speaking with a professional. Consider reaching out to your paediatrician or an occupational therapist in Adelaide if you notice:
- Oral seeking behaviours that are frequent, intense, or increasing in frequency after the age of two
- Chewing or mouthing that causes injury to the mouth, lips, or skin
- Your child is eating or mouthing non-food items regularly, such as sand, dirt, playdough, or clothing
- The behaviour is causing distress for your child or significantly disrupting daily routines at home or at school
- Your child becomes very unsettled or dysregulated without access to oral input
These signs don’t automatically indicate a diagnosis — they simply suggest your child may benefit from a closer look at their sensory processing needs. An occupational therapist can help make sense of what you are seeing and suggest practical next steps.
How can an occupational therapist help?
An occupational therapist will start by gathering information about your child’s sensory behaviours across different environments — at home, at childcare, at school, and in the community. This helps build a full picture of your child’s sensory processing profile and what may be driving the oral seeking behaviour.
From there, your OT may develop a sensory diet — a personalised plan of sensory activities spread across the day to give your child’s sensory system the input it needs in a safe and purposeful way. This can include some of the strategies listed above, such as oral chew tools or specific snack textures, as well as other activities tailored to your child’s preferences and daily routine.
Where oral seeking behaviours are connected to regulation challenges — such as difficulty managing big emotions or transitions — your OT will work with you to understand the underlying causes and identify strategies that support your child across their everyday environments.
Some general strategies for oral sensory seekers:
Oral chew tools: These come in various styles, sizes, colours, textures and resistance levels. Some different options include tubes, necklace pendants or pencil toppers.
Crunchy snacks: Providing a variety of crunchy snacks such as crackers, pretzels and veggie sticks provides increased opportunity to chew and stimulate the muscles of the mouth.
Sucking: Drinking smoothies from straw or using a camelbak drink bottle that requires stronger sucking is a great way to provide increased oral stimulation. Alternatively sucking an icy pole, frozen fruit or ice cubes.
Blowing: Playing with musical instruments (e.g. harmonica or recorder), whistles, blowing bubbles with a bubble wand or blowing a pinwheel.
If your child’s oral sensory seeking is part of a broader picture — such as challenges with regulation or communication — joint occupational therapy and speech pathology sessions may be a helpful option to explore with your therapist.
Our occupational therapy team in Hove, Adelaide supports children and families from Brighton, Glenelg, Somerton Park, Marion, and across southern Adelaide. If you have questions about your child’s sensory behaviours, find out what to expect at your first appointment or get in touch with our team.
Words By Sally Cameron-Smith, Occupational Therapist, SPOT Paediatrics, Hove SA. Updated March 2026.