licking feet

[grammybonnie]

Why would a 3 year old like to lick another child's feet?  My grandson loves to lick other children's feet. I have observed him waiting for his cousin to fall asleep then he will take his socks off and lick his feet while he is sleeping. He will also climb under the table while the children are sitting at the computer or playing to lick their feet. The other day he said to me "Does ______(his cousin) have his socks on". (His cousin was taking a nap.) I asked him why he wanted to knoe. His response was that his peepee tickled and he wanted to lick his feet. Can a 3 year old have a foot fettish? Is there something we should do to discourage this behavior. My husband thinks he is lacking salt.

[Raine9]

Kinda funny, my daughter was kissing my feet earlier this evening.  I've never heard of this but I don't think it's possible for a 3 year old to have a foot fettish.  Is it possible that your grandson saw something on TV or at pre-school? (If he attends pre-school)  Kids at this age are like sponges.  They pick up on everything.  My daughter was the same way.  She would remember things that we just said in passing and remember things that seemed so remote to us.  Perhaps you can explain to your grandson that feet can be dirty because they touch the floor and shouldn't be licked because it will make him sick.  I wouldn't make a big deal out of it because it may further encourage the behavior.  Sometimes it's better to pretend that it's not a big deal and the child will just grow out of it.

Good luck!

[rilbrianne]

You should call his pediatrician and see if they've heard of that kind of behavior before, they might have some advice or recommendations.  It is certainly odd behavior, and if he said his "peepee tickled", that's pretty concerning to me.  

I'd say it's worth checking out.  

[Apes111]

I recently caught my son licking my toes while I was alseep. I freaked out and asked him several questions. He has promised me that he has never done that to any one nor has any one has done it to him. But I am still concerned of why he would want to lick his moms feet. I am so confused. He said he also gets the urge to lick other girls feet at school but has not acted on it. My son this has been going on for about a year. He is 13 now and is going through pruberty so I am not sure if this is the reason never had any signs before. Please give me some advise on what to do and how to handle this situation