Clothes chewing

[bookbird]

My DS started school last August and isn't settling in very well. Soon after starting, he started chewing his clothes. This is escalating and today he came home with the buttons chewed to bits on a new polo shirt which was soaked all the way down the front.

I'm putting it down to anxiety and really don't know what to do. Any advice from MNers?

No ideas bookbird but didn't want you to go unanswered! Have you tried talking to the school? They really should have picked up on it already as it sounds very noticeable. Maybe if the school can put in some strategies to help him feel more settled then the chewing can be managed as well.
Sorry if not verŷ helpful

ds went through a stage of eating up his shirts. Not anxiety related, more of a sensory thing. If your ds is unhappy at school I'd go in and speak to his teacher and try and get that sorted out (you may well be doing that already). Otherwise you could try painting his buttons with that nasty stuff used to stop children biting their nails I guess.

I used to do this too when I started school.
My mum is always reminding me how I used to ruin all my collars by chewing holes in them.
Unfortunately I can't remember why I did it but I did grow out of it in the end and I do not eat my clothes now. Annoying as it is I don't think you've got anything serious to worry about.

p.s. I always loved school and was never unhappy there so it's not necessarily anxiety about school.

We've been in to the school and are working closely with them, everything else is improving (not doing his work, aggression towards some children) but this chewing is getting out of control. Perhaps I'm over anxious as it's only one part of a bigger problem that's just surfaced since he started school. Thanks for the kind reassurances! Better get to ASDA for some new polo shirts!

starting school is daunting and it is difficult for them at that age to have to learn how to deal with other children and adults - it's a process so just give him time. most kids go from everything being about play and fun to having to sit still at a desk or on the carpet for storytime and 'do as you are told'. personally i think 4/5 is far too young for kids to start school...but that's a whole other thread!

i have found that teachers and staff will over-analyse everything given half the chance. talk to your son about school each day and find out what he liked and disliked.

with regards to the clothes chewing - it's really common! my son did it also (up until about age 7 or 8) and it wasn't anxiety related. so try not to worry too much.

I used to love chewing my school cardigan. I can still remember enjoying the way it squeaked against my teeth, and the way if I chewed a big wodge of it it almost hurt my gums but in a good way IYSWIM.

my dd has chewed her way through 3 cardigans already, in a term and a bit. she also is doing ok at school, I think you have your chewers and non chewers. dd is almost 6 and does it all the time drives me insane. she also either has her hands down her pants or in her mouth, vile cretin.

My son, nearly 9, still chews T-shirts from time to time (not at school much though). I am beginning to question Sensory Processing Disorder for him, and under-active senses for the mouth. He also loves strong flavours and hates sloppy foods.

Anyway, back to your son, it could be anxiety. Is he used to large crowds? Is it a large class in a smallish area? Noise in reception can get pretty loud. Some schools have two classes in a large shared area, that can make things confusing. Is he used to routine?

I'd arrange a little chat with his teacher or key worker. If work/childcare commitment allow, you could volunteer to help for a few weeks (a morning a week), then observe the setting and check out how your son fits it. Word of warning, when I did this my DD (also an August birthday) would get really silly and clingy!

Thanks all. Spoke to his teacher today, she has noticed him chewing his sweater sleeves, but missed the polo shirt destruction. She thinks its a sensory thing and not to worry too much, but we'll keep an eye on it.

He came home today totally unchewed, so I made a big fuss of him.

Anyone has any ideas how to stop your sister from chewing her coat? My elder sister is 15 now and still chewing her coat. I know many children have sensory issues and disorders but I think in my case, its just a habit that she doesnt care to stop.

She's a chewer basically and all the pens, tv remotes, sweaters, coat collars are all chewed. It doesn't help too that my mom herself also chews her pens and they both do nothing about it when I mention it!

I just think it's a terrible terrible habit! I cant understand why they all think its alright to suck a pen and leave it all wet at the ends? I mean my sister could chew on it the whole time doing her homework, leave it at the table after and then my mom comes along right after and chews on it too while thinking of a grocery list!

I am looking at my winter coat that I am to wear this year! The collars are a little frayed and the zipper pull has teethmarks. I can still picture how this coat was worn last year by my sister and the collar was always soaking wet and in her mouth. I know its been washed but i just still seem to smell that stinky collar!

Again, my sister and mom seem normal people but they are just not doing anything about it! And they have no care of others too when you chew the pens and dont even look to see if its yours? I have thrown out countless of good pens because my sister comes by to my pencil case, uses my pens and leave her teethmarks on them ! Arrrgh!

any ideas?

My 2 older children went through a chewing clothes phase. DS2 still does it now on and off.

DS3 sucks/chews a blanket all the time. Think its a comfort thing for him though (hes 9mo) as he won't go to sleep without sucking the corner of a blanket or something similar. It can be the feet in his sleep suits, socks, my top if I'm holding him, his sleeve, just about anything really

DS1 and 2 grew out of it though. It could just be something your DS does to comfort himself or maybe even just a habit he's picked up.