How to stop 8yo DS chewing / sucking sleeves?

[girlynut]

In the past six months, DS1 (8 in June) has started chewing and sucking the sleeves and the front neckline of his clothes. At Beavers, he practically sticks his whole scarf in his gob!

Aside from slowly ruining his clothes and making him look a bit odd, I'm more concerned about why he's doing it.

He doesn't seem to do it at school (but he is in a shirt, tie and wool jumper). He'll do it on the football pitch, whilst watching TV or talking to grandparents. I did think it might be when he's nervous but I can't see why he'd be nervous in those situations.

Anybody got any ideas to stop him? I've tried rubbing chillies onto the clothes but he just sucked all the taste out and kept going! I'd imagine the stuff to stop nail biting would probably dry hard on clothes? Thinking about giving him a "toy / soother" that he can play with instead....

When my DD was nail biting I used to shout in a sharp voice "Stop that!" and tap her arm...not slap or hit...just a light tap with my finger. old fashioned but it worked. At 8 he's a bit old to pick up something like this thoughl....has he got stressed about anything?

How do you feel about bribery? Or a forfeit?

Try here

hi there
My 8 year old has always done this, (he ihas aspergers and is will stick anything within reach in his mouth to chew) He does however get much, much worse when he is for want of a better word teething. Does your lad have any teeth starting to loosen (ds starts getting worse months and months before you can actually find the loose tooth but as the tooth loosens further the behaviour also increases. Just a thought and may be well off track

DD used to chew her cardigan sleeves in years 4, 5 and 6. She stopped by the time she got to high school. Perhaps it was because they wore blazers.

My 7 (8 in June) year old DS does this too. I hate it. I tell him to stop CONSTANTLY. He doesn't. But it isn't a new habit. Has always been figity like this.

My 7 yo DS does this too - ruining school jumpers - any insights into why or how to stop would be much appreciated!