I agree as well .... When I see a child putting something in their mouth I say "not in your mouth". It truly just becomes a habit and not a need. I also find kids that are allowed to have soothers put more things in their mouths because it becomes a habit of always having something in their mouth. I feel the sooner you break the habit the better so I start right away. 12 month olds don't really know the difference between a toy that's chewable and a book or wooden toy or my favourite the rubber wheels on cars. I discourage it right from the beginning the same way I discourage throwing food, throwing toys, hitting our friends ..... They quickly learn what's appropriate and what's not. JMO