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Original poster

Dd keeps chewing the sleeves to her school jumper

48 replies

Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 11:54

Has anyone got any advice on how to help this?

She’s completely chewed the jumper away at one of the cuffs and half chewed the other one.

She tells me nothing is bothering her at school, and that it’s just a habit now.

No SEN that we suspect with her.

She’s swallowing what she’s chewing so keen to try and and stop this.

I am planning on having a meeting with the teacher to see if she has any suggestions but apart from that I’m at a loss

Are the doctors an option or is there no point?

OP posts:
Foslady · 30/01/2020 12:12

I used to do this when I started school. It was an anxiety thing. I had no problems with the work, I liked the classroom, I just didn’t like being in a room full of strange kids (they used to do an Easter intake - great foratents but lousy for kids - friendship groups all established and they all knew the routine and I didn’t).
What’s her friendship group like?

Foslady · 30/01/2020 12:15

Forayents - for parents!

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 12:20

She changed school about 4 months ago, so she’s still settling in.

She says she enjoys school, and she has made friends but obviously she misses her old friends.

She’s in year 1

OP posts:

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Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 12:22

We have actually wondered about anxiety for her too though

What can I do to help this?

My partner is on medication for anxiety but I don’t think they do that for children do they? I don’t really want to put her on medication at her age her either if I can

OP posts:
eenymeenyminyme · 30/01/2020 12:25

My daughter always did this.

She's 16 now and chews the neckline of t-shirts. Drives me nuts!

She's quite a worrier but assures me she's fine, it's just a really irritating habit which ruins clothes!

reefedsail · 30/01/2020 12:26

You can buy 'chewlery' bracelets to save the jumper.

If she's anxious, there is a book called 'Starving the Anxiety Gremlin' which is available in a 5-9yo edition. It is very good.

Noteventhebestdrummer · 30/01/2020 12:26

I bought 10 second hand ties from the uniform sale for 50p each and told DS he could chew his tie any time!

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 12:26

Yep

She wants logo jumpers, but I’m not going to buy her them if she’s chewing it to bits.

We already have to purchase another jumper as a spare.

OP posts:
TheForgetfulCat · 30/01/2020 12:27

How about a chewy thing on a lanyard or a chewy bracket? Google Chewelry or similar. My DD used to chew anything and everything including her cardigans! In her case, just a comfort habit which she mainly outgrew. She liked to have a piece of chewy jewellery as a substitute for a while.

I certainly don't think you would get medication for a Y1 child unless the anxiety was very severe. It might be worth talking to school about whether they have someone in a pastoral/emotional support role (often called ELSA) who could have a few chats about how she's settling in. Best of luck.

Noteventhebestdrummer · 30/01/2020 12:27

This stopped him destroying jumpers and he grew out of it by Y5 or so.

Caught him chewing a towel on the beach last summer though! I think some people just like to chew.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 12:29

No ties at this school, but I’m liking the idea of this bracelet.

I will speak to the teacher tonight and just check they are happy with her to wear one

OP posts:
Itsallaswizz · 30/01/2020 12:33

Chewy necklaces worked for mine - has a rubbery chewy Lego type brick on that seems to satisfy the urge to chew. No more wet stinky sleeves Envy yay! Got mine on amazon. Just check they are good grade plastic as some aren't.

Itsallaswizz · 30/01/2020 12:34

Food grade

AristotlesTrousers · 30/01/2020 12:34

DS2 (also in YR1) also chews his sleeves, OP. No SEN that I'm aware of. He's always been one to put things in his mouth - much more so than his older brother.

I'm trying to ignore it as much as possible as he's quite stubborn and I don't want to make it an issue (although it's frustrating as it winds me up a bit, esp if I have to repair/replace items of clothing).

There may also be some anxiety in there too for him (he's quite emotional), but mostly I think he just likes doing it! I'm hoping he'll just grow out of it. Smile

AristotlesTrousers · 30/01/2020 12:35

Oh, I like the idea upthread of chewy toys - I might try that too!

eggandonion · 30/01/2020 12:36

I had a chewing school jumper/ t-shirt child, he stopped at about eight. He also bit his nails, I must do a nail inspection when I see him. He's 28 and has a proper job now, doesn't chew his suit!

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 12:39

Thanks.

I’ve just purchased a chewing necklace which should arrive tomorrow.

OP posts:
Blobby10 · 30/01/2020 13:20

My son did this (hes 22 now) and I painted anti-nail bite lotion onto his cuffs and collars. Worked for a while . He grew out of the habit --when he was about 15! Grin

Sammysquiz · 30/01/2020 13:22

It’s really common! I volunteer in our school’s second-hand uniform shop and loads of the jumpers have gnawed cuffs Grin

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 13:25

It wouldn’t be too bad if they were just gnawed, but she has completely chewed the cuff off one side of a cardigan, and half chewed the other side off.

I even had to pick a fibre out of her teeth last week, so goodness what it’s doing to her insides as like i said, she seems to swallow it.

She used to do it in her old school, but no where near as bad as here so it does make me think it’s anxiety.

Hopefully these necklaces will help

OP posts:
Elzbells · 30/01/2020 13:28

My daughter used to do this, she literally ate her cuffs. I noticed during class assembly's etc that she was chewing them when she was feeling self conscious or anxious about something.

You've made me realise she's stopped now - she's in Y5 and cuffs intact. I never made a big deal of it just replaced the jumpers when they got too bad.

Heaviestdirtyestsoul · 30/01/2020 13:30

I used the nail biting fluid that we used on DS's nails, just painted a few lines on his cuffs.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/01/2020 13:40

Yeah she’s a nail biter too but so am
I.

I always hated that fluid as flu couldn’t eat anything with it on.

OP posts:
Foslady · 30/01/2020 13:44

I think all you can do is talk, ask her open questions. If she says something made her sad/anxious/worried ask her what she would have liked to happen, how she can look at it a different way so it’s not such a sad/worrying thing.
I was at school at this stage in the early ‘70’s count myself lucky that I had the GP I had who refused to issue AD’s which at the time were handed out like smarties.
Bedtime is especially good for finding out worries btw - don’t be surprised if after story time is when she says something.
Oh - and I’m a horrific nail biter......