It seems that kids don't just say the funniest things, they eat them too, as a new survey revelas that the nation’s toddlers regularly have mouths full of mum’s jewellery and chew on family essentials like car keys and cameras – with the average toddler costing mum and dad £60 in damages during their first three years. This equates to a staggering nationwide loss of over £14.5 million a year.
Parenting on Female First
Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk, who commissioned the survey to highlight the hard to get nutrients required to support toddler growth and development, found 21 per cent of parents’ bundles of joy caused more damage in the home than the family pet, with 86 per cent of children spending up to 30 minutes per day chewing or sucking on household items like remote controls (which came top of the carnage list of items most commonly damaged).
In light of additional research which shows that the typical UK toddler is more likely to have eaten a burger than broccoli, the new poll shows that a supper of crayons, keys and toys is commonplace for little ones.
Whilst “mouthing” is not to be discouraged, Doctor Leanne Olivier, nutritionist and spokesperson for Cow & Gate, said: “It’s common for little ones to put weird and wacky things in their mouths, from cushions to remote controls, but they won’t find the essential nutrients they need to support their amazing growth there.
"A healthy balanced diet including just two beakers of Growing Up Milk each day is a simple way to provide little ones with the hard to get nutrition that they need.”
Released to coincide with Cow & Gate’s new TV advert, the survey also reveals that it’s not just the celebrities participating in Bushtucker Trials it seems, as toddlers have inquisitive taste buds that are not limited to the household, with creepy crawlies also appearing on this unusual menu of toddler fare. A quarter of children chow down on between five and fifteen insects, worms and slugs in their first five years.
Dr Richard Woolfson, child psychologist for Growing Up Milk, added: “The results of this survey confirm that “mouthing” is very common amongst toddlers. It’s simply another form of exploration and discovery.
"Mouthing lets curious and inquisitive toddlers learn about the object’s texture, resistance, taste and structure. That’s why you need to watch closely – your toddler will happily mouth anything they get their hands on, big or small, safe or hazardous.”
The top 10 items that toddlers most commonly put in their mouths:
1. Toys (17%)
2. Crayons and Pencils (16%)
3. Remote control (13%)
4. Keys (11%)
5. Camera, Phone and iPod (10%)
6. Soft toys (9%)
7. Plastic plates and bowls (6%)
8. Items of clothing (5%)
9. Security blanket (4%)
10. Jewellery (3%)
Cow & Gate’s latest advert for Growing Up Milk highlights just how hard it can be for toddlers to get the essential nutrients they need as we see curious little ones putting ordinary household items in their mouths as they ‘feed their personalities’.
For more information, visit www.growingupmilkinfo.com