Little ones tend to learn about new items by shoving the item in their mouth. This can be pretty icky, but baby tasting serves a purpose.

Babies put things in their mouth to explore, to learn about their world, and also because they want to use their newly developed motor skills. From a baby’s point of view, it likely seems a shame to learn hand to mouth coordination and not use it.

To indulge your baby’s sense of adventure for tasting items, while keeping her safe, try the following:

Don’t allow grabbing: My son would steal food right off your plate if you looked away. Don’t allow this, it’s rude. Your baby doesn’t know it’s rude of course, but it’s never too early to teach nice manners. A simple no, please don’t take my food will be fine.

Do say no to gross inedible items: Don’t just sit by and watch your baby stuff dirt or grass in her mouth. Simply say no, we don’t eat dirt, and remove the item.
Don’t taste stuff yourself: If you’re always opening bottle safety wraps or baggies with your teeth, or chewing on pencils, guess what your baby will do?  That’s right - she’ll copy you.

Do give her safe taste adventures: Try serving nice and bright food items, or food cut into fun shapes (think bread). Serve different textures as well.

Don’t flip out: If your baby is chewing on safe items - toys, a cookie that fell on the floor (dusty - but pretty safe), or her own hand, it’s ok. If you try and stop all the tasting, you’ll go nuts. Let some chewing happen.