How to Help a Child Stop Drooling

Not every child will stop drooling on their own as they pass through the toddler years. Some children need a little help developing the coordination and awareness to stop drooling. These exercises can help put a stop to your child's drooling.

Things You'll Need

• Straws
• Cotton Balls
• Bubble Stuff
• Patience

Instructions

1. STRAWS TO STOP DROOLING. Straws require a child to use lower lip control and develop the facial muscles required to stop drooling. As often as possible, offer a drooling child beverages with straws, rather than in sippy cups which can make the problem worse. Try giving your child a fun challenge, like putting pudding or apple sauce in a cup with a straw. The harder they work their lower lip muscles, the quicker they will stop drooling. If your child needs help learning to use a straw, try using a juice box. Put the straw in your child's mouth and squeeze enough to give them a taste of what's inside.

2. WHISTLES. Whistles are another way for your child to practice the lip control they need to stop drooling. It may not be music to your ears, but the result, a dry toddler, will make up for all the headaches.

3. COTTON BALL RACES are a great way to help stop drooling and have fun at the same time. Simply set a cotton ball for each racer on a smooth, flat surface. On your mark! Get set! BLOW!!! It's a great lip exercise disguised as fun.

4. BUBBLE FUN. Blowing bubbles is another great way to help stop drooling. Again, by practicing lip control, children develop the strength and skill necessary to overcome their drooling dilemma.

5. PEANUT BUTTER LIP. For children without peanut allergies, peanut butter can be a great help to stop drooling. Wipe your child's lower lip free of drool, and smear a LITTLE (not enough to choke on) peanut butter on your child's lower lip. Let your child lick the peanut butter off his or her lower lip. As they lift their lip to get all the peanut butter, they will be performing strength exercises.

6. KISSY FACE. Having fun with kissy faces or fishy faces is a great way to help your child stop drooling. Once again, it forces your child to control their lower lip, giving them the skills necessary to control the drool.

7. DROOL AWARENESS. Many children are simply too interested in the fun of being a kid to even notice the drooling problem. Gentle and sensitive reminders that they are drooling can help them become aware that they are drooling and that they shouldn't be. When bringing the drool to your child's attention, make sure not to do it publicly or in a way that hurts their self esteem. These reminders are kind, sweet, and a private moment between you and your child.

Tips & Warnings

• DROOLING can also be caused by an underlying physical condition, such as enlarged tonsils, or by facial structure. If you child cannot stop drooling, speak to his or her pediatrician. Sometimes the problem requires more than Kissy Faces.