Dd keeps chewing the sleeves to her school jumper

[Soubriquet]

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?

I've just remembered that my boss sucks the cuff of his anorak if I tell him important things when he arrives in. Think Roy cropper of Corrie

Well...

Spoke to the teacher. She hasn’t noticed dd doing this at all and at first dismissed it saying she wouldn’t need any chewlery.

It was when I pointed out that she had lost a cuff and half from one jumper and I had to pull fibres from her teeth, that she relented and agreed

Her initial problem, was that the other children would want one/ask about it, which I do understand, but my dd’s health has to come first.

She’s going to keep a closer eye on dd now to see if you can pinpoint exactly when she’s doing it to see if there is any triggers or if it’s just an anxiety habit

Thanks for your advice

I don't know if my jumper chewer or my thumb sucker would have worn a necklace thingy to school.

Her initial problem, was that the other children would want one/ask about it,

This is such a bullshit reason for not meeting children's needs. It makes my blood boil!!

I used to be a hair sucker when I was young. Pretty sure I can remember going for my cuffs too. How about a fidget cube or similar to keep in her pocket? She could mess with that out of sight, but it would hopefully distract her? I would be hesitant to give her anything to chew openly as it might leave her open to ridicule, and would be a good way of picking up any bugs going round, but something to fidget with might help relieve her anxiety.

She’s 6....so not like she’s 16

mine used to do it, completely trashed the sleeves just on one arm, meant no one pinched her cardigans.

I was glad she wasnt biting her nails tbh

She stopped when she went to high school

I would be hesitant to give her anything to chew openly as it might leave her open to ridicule,

Adults think like this, 6 year olds don't.

You can get some very discreet versions of the chewlery bracelets, something like this even:

blog.chewigem.com/the-coolest-bangle-teenagers-with-spd-are-going-crazy-about/

Well I’ve gone for the necklace for the moment as it was £5 for 2. If she gets on with it, and we are finding it works, then I will go ahead and buy something more expensive. Those bracelets would be an option in the future

Have you looked into Pica?

I have actually

I have it. Or at least I used to.
I used to chew and eat plastic. I haven’t done it now for nearly 3 years after being on iron tablets

Can you tell one of mine did this too?
He has chewed through no fewer than six ties! Numerous jumpers, tops, pyjamas coats etc.
I don't replace them, he has to wear them. (Well- the ties were un-knotable!!)
He has finally in Y6 stopped

It is anxiety, she may not be able to identify what is causing it, just be patient and kind. (And keep reminding not to chew)

Both my children and a friend's child developed funny habits at this age.
My ds used to pull at the neck of his clothes constantly and my dd rubbed her mouth until it was sore.
After 6 months or so they just stopped.

My dd used to do this, she is 16 now and grew out of it when she was 8 ish.
She also used to chew through the bottom of water bottles.

I'd suggest approaching the teacher with a suggestion rather than asking her/him. Come with a solution rather than a problem.

You need to check for oral thrush.

I don't know about six year olds not commenting, maybe my kids went to school with right little madams but packed lunches had to be 'not yucky'.

My cousin started chewing the sleeves of her school jumpers, so my aunt sprayed them with perfume.

I can't work out if that was the right thing to do or not but it certainly stopped her from chewing them.

It's weird how common it is, I don't know anyone else in real life with a chewy child.

I'm a chewer. Always have been.
At school I chewed my wool cardigan, pleasantly squeaky, and my hair which always tasted like shampoo but annoying if it got between my teeth.
I progressed on to plastic things, pen lids, bottle tops. It gives a weird kind of itchy, slightly painful but very addictive sensation to my gums. My favourite thing is to bite the barbs that hold price tags on clothes. I always though I was discreet but the other day my DD pulled the label off a new top and silently passed me the barb!

Dd did this, ends of cardigan sleeves, hair, sashes to school dresses. She seems to have finally stopped by year 3.

No anxiety or issues, she really likes school, likes her friends etc. Just likes a good chew!

By year 2 I would reward her for not ruining school uniform (and threatened to raid her piggy bank for replacing chewed uniform, tho never had to see that through). Cold hard cash worked.

My DD does it occasionally but no where near damaging the cuffs. From what I gather it’s a stupid habit that kids think is cool 🙄 I’m sure in certain situations and with various degrees of severity it can be a symptom of something more serious but here - just a stupid mannerism.