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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

7yo constantly chewing his t-shirts.

19 replies

carpedonut · 10/12/2016 22:57

Yes 7 years old!

Wondering if anyone has advice or product recommendations please? He does it all the time. Relaxing, reading, talking... ends up with a large wet patch on the front of his top. Every day. School polo shirts are the worst. Really damp and grimey by the end of the day.

Seems to be more prevalent since he lost his front teeth.

No SN or other causes for concern. Thinking about some kind of safe necklace maybe??

Seems like fidgeting to the max!

OP posts:

Report

carpedonut · 11/12/2016 08:42

Bump for the morning crowd

OP posts:

DialMforMummy · 11/12/2016 08:45

My son did that for a while out of the blue. He's 6. We continuously asked him to stop and he did.
Sorry I can't be of no more help!

CloudPerson · 11/12/2016 08:50

Have a look at [[http://chewigem.co.uk Chewigem]]
My boys and I have ASD and have rediscovered chewing, it's very calming. I would get him something to chew. It's likely to be a phase that many children go through, but chewing something more appropriate may save his clothes!
I recommend the strap or dog tags, if he's used to chewing clothes these things are quite thin and flexible, some of the bigger chewies are quite bulky.

carpedonut · 11/12/2016 08:51

That is actually helpful, Thankyou.

I was sitting next to him yesterday reading and he was trying to do it as I was swatting his hand away.

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BabyGanoush · 11/12/2016 08:52

My son did this for a while when he was a bit anxious about school.

It stopped a year later (moved schools!)

oldbirdy · 11/12/2016 08:52

My son did it at the same age. It is a sensory thing. In my son it was anxiety based and he did stop after a year or two. It was his collars on his polo shirts got the brunt. It was year 3 when it was at its worst, now you mention it! The Occupational therapist recommended chewing gum as a substitute but of course school wouldn't allow that. I bought some chewy jewellery from sensory online (" chewellery") but I think he felt a bit of a wally. Worth a try though?

browneyesblue · 11/12/2016 08:52

DS (6) often puts things in his mouth, and goes through periods where it seems to get worse.

We were advised to try things that would give lots of sensory feedback for his mouth, for example crunchy foods, drinks with straws (especially thick shakes) or chewy foods.

Safe chew toys were suggested too, but we haven't gone down that route yet.

carpedonut · 11/12/2016 08:53

Thanks all. That chewy Jewellery could be worth a go. I really dislike chewing gum so would rather avoid that. The dog tags look cool though.

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Paffle · 11/12/2016 08:57

We use chewy jewellery but this year's class teacher doesn't seem so supportive of it so we are back to jumpers coming home destroyed at the cuffs.

carpedonut · 11/12/2016 09:26

I've showed him and he's very keen. I've ordered the dog tags from chewigem. I should speak to the school when the arrive I guess?

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whowantsadog · 11/12/2016 09:32

My DS did this- he grew out of it eventually but it used to drive me insane. He chewed a hole in the corner of his new coat at one point!

carpedonut · 11/12/2016 11:36

Had no idea it was so common!

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CloudPerson · 11/12/2016 17:23

If/when you talk to school, point out they have a safety catch on the string, so they can't strangle a child! This was raised as an issue at school to ds.

gamerwidow · 11/12/2016 17:40

I did this as a child. I couldn't have any tops with collars because I'd end up ruining them. I grew out of it eventually, I'm allowed full access to all sorts of clothes now

carpedonut · 11/12/2016 21:02

Thankyou cloud. Really good point.

Good to hear gamer

I've ended up ordering one for his older sister too (9yo) as she can't possibly miss out . She wants to try it instead of sucking her thumb when watching tv.

TBH I'm not even worried about her. She does it rarely and her teeth and speech are fine (dentist agrees).

I'd just like to stop seeing that soggy crinkled mess on my son each day!

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CloudPerson · 11/12/2016 22:55

Chewing helped me stop sucking my thumb, so it might work!
It's also helping me lose weight too as I don't have the urge to eat all the time.
I'm a bit evangelical about it

carpedonut · 15/12/2016 18:22

Well they arrived yesterday and have been a huge success. Thankyou.

I checked with school and they were fine - great tip about the safety catch. He seems happier too.

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CloudPerson · 16/12/2016 21:57

I'm so pleased, long may it last

SummerSazz · 16/12/2016 22:00

Dd1 did this at age 7 ish and at 10 has pretty much grown out of I. Dd2 is 8 and is now doing it....

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