why do you think the mouth is a baby’s primary sensory organ?

I spend a lot of time thinking about that, which makes sense considering I spend a lot of time scouring the floor for small object and dried-out, rock hard toast crumbs.

As I observe babies, I’m always trying to figure out, not just the how’s of their development, but the why’s…which are usually a whacky and probably unacceptable combination of theology and evolutionary theory.

For example, I decided a long time ago that the reason human infants aren’t born so ready to rock and roll as other mammals is because God wants us to develop our abilities in relationship. He wants our eyes to strengthen and focus as we gaze upon and study other human faces. He wants us to learn to communicate in a give and take of listening and responding. He wants us to be taught, carefully and with patience, and He wants those who teach us to learn about sacrifice and patience.

From the beginning, then, we know, not only that we are "I," but that we are "us," as well.

But this oral thing has me stumped, because, it seems so unsafe, on the face of it. The only thing I can figure is that it ensures the baby will get some kind of food even if it’s neglected, as it shoves everything into its mouth. But that still doesn’t seem to compensate for the danger factor.

Any ideas?