Baby tries to eat other babies

[Zangua]

I have an 8 month old who is very social. Recently whenever she sees another baby she cries and cries and reaches for them until she can get close enough to put something- a hand, an arm, a face, in her mouth. This seems to make other moms very protective of their babes- even other moms that I know. So then we end up with my baby crying and grabbing for the other baby and moms pulling their babies back from mine. I am trying to show her to be gentle, without stifling her curiosity and love for her fellow baby mates. Anyone have good tips on gentle baby interaction?

[Ellien C]

Well - mouthing anything is how babies "see." We say this all the time with my 9 month old. I tend to give my baby a voice - "Oh look. It's a baby like me. I want to put you in my mouth so I can see you! Please, Please, please! Oh please mommy - I want so much to put her in my mouth. Oh I'm so mad that I can't see her." It kind of breaks the tension for me and the other party. And that's really the key. Just breaking the tension. you can also get near the other baby but hold your babies hands. And then just say - we look with our eyes. 

[coffeegirl]

I haven't dealt with this with my 4 month old daughter YET, but I do know (because this has become one of those infamous baby stories about me in the family ) that when I was a toddler I bit the toe of one of the neighborhood babies when our moms were visiting. The baby squealed in horror of course. I had just learned to talk, so when asked why I did it, I just told them that I loved her so much and she was so cute I couldn't help myself.

So yeah....based on that, I think it's a pretty normal thing. Babies and toddlers like putting things in their mouth, period. lol

[akind1]

DS did this, but mostly with other breastfed babies, he never did it to a FF baby. I have been coaching him on gently touches though, and he does get it. basically what I do if he starts to be overagressive (not intentionally hurtful) but like slapping at, or poking, is guide his hand, open palm and fingers, and say, "gentle touches" over and over until he does it on his own. It is a lot like petting a dog or cat (and we use it for that purpose also) We are almost at the point where just the word reminder does the trick.

As for other parents, generally IME, they see me trying to correct DS and show him how TO touch, and they don't try to take their baby and run, so to speak. It is a learning experience for both babies. Both in how to touch and allowing (or not) that touch. If a baby tries to push DS away, I tell him that's enough, Baby has had enough. and lots of praise for being nice :).

[MeepyCat]

My DD has both done this and had it done to her, and I'll step in and redirect.  Mouthing other babies is developmentally normal, but germy, and it's also developmentally normal for the other babies to object.  I'll try to keep it light ("I don't think Maya wants you to eat her, honey," or "Hey hey.  It's still the first date."), and I'll try and start them rolling a ball back and forth or doing something else I know DD loves. 

[evabea]

There's a great scene in the documentary 'Babies' where the Namibian infant sucks on his (patient) older brother's stomach. Then the baby finally stops and makes a face like "this doesn't really taste that good!" Very adorable.