Chewing clothes - anyone come across it before?

[Jacanne]

My 5yr old dd has just started school and has been finding the whole friendship/girls being a bit bitchy thing difficult. She goes to school quite happily, not tears or tummy aches but she has just started chewing her clothes. She has put holes in the knees of 4 pair of tights over the last few weeks, has chewed the corner of her coat ragged and tonight has chewed a huge hole in the cuff of her top (Boden, sob).

I can't help thinking that it must be something to do with school - she's not a nervous child but it seems like a really nervous habit to me. Obviously she can't tell me if anything is bothering her (and tbh I don't want to make too much of it). She's fairly bright and they're giving her some extra stuff to stretch her - I'm wondering if it's all too much and maybe she needs longer to settle.

Any ideas would be gratefully received. Thanks

My eldest DS goes through phases of chewing his sleeves. He also twiddles his hair and has given himself (temporary)bald patches as a result. It does usually coincide with something going on at school either socially or academically, which is causing him stress.

Talk to your DD about it, and then go and see her teacher. IME teachers are always really helpful and grateful if you let them know that your child appears a bit stressed. If something is going on your DD will be happy that you are trying to help her with it.

I know how horrible it feels to think there's something bothering them so good luck

Message withdrawn

My friend's son is 12 and still chews his jumper sleeves, and occasionally the top of it. It's a habit thing with him on the whole, but keep an eye on it, could be a sign of nerves.

Thank you all- I think I will speak to her teacher about it. Interesting about the teething - I thought they had all their teeth by 5 - she has been chewing the side of her wooden bed as well.

my 6 year old dd does this as well - has worn through the cuffs of her school cardigans and countless other long sleeved things at home. I hadn't really noticed it - don't see it as a problem tho - just a habit she's gotten into.

ds (5 - started reception this year) does it, does my head in!

DD2 used to do this. Drove me insane as I was forever trying to sew up where she'd chewed her school jumper sleeves. It got to a point where they were unwearable. Then I couldn't find replacements (mid-term). I was Grrr!! Grrr!! Grrr!

She was doing it right up until early this year. However, she's 8 now and seems to have grown out of it, thank goodness.

i used to do it. i just liked the taste of freshly washed clothes?!?! Can't remember being nervous about anything, but I agree just have a wee chat with teacher.

My 6 year old does it with his coat cuffs and collar. He comes out of school at home time with his hands tucked up inside the sleeves because the cuffs are so wet it feels horrible to have his hands down where they should be as the wetness is against his wrists. It drives me mad and only yesterday I rather lost it with him. Now I feel bad as perhaps, as been suggested here, it is the sign of him being nervous or unhappy about something . I'll have to try and talk to him calmly about it in the morning.

My almost 6 year old chews his coat collar - it's revolting, raggedy and permanently soggy. And with this cold weather it's making his face sore - having something wet rubbing against it all the time. I bought some Stop and Grow but can't quite bring myself to use it. I bought it a year ago actually - when he first chewed a hole in his brand new coat! He used to chew his school sweatshirt cuffs but (touch wood) has stopped that now.

My friends' ds used to chew holes in his cuffs - it's quite common I think.

Eek @ friends' ds. I meant friend's ds of course.

my dd started this year and has chewed holes in her left cuff of her cardi's, which i am so sad about as they were just lovely and BHS dont have them anymore (might have to buy the school cardi)

i thought it was the washing machine doing the chewing!!!!

Cos I am not friends with her dh. Well, actually I am so friends' would do, wouldn't it? Oh I'm wittering with football induced boredom.

intresting about teeth as dd has been saying her gum hurts? maybe i need to send her school with a teether ring

(hijack) Califrau - can I assume it's thanksgiving season?

Three of my four have been through sleeve gnawing spells. Always school clothes. Never at home.

I think it's a sign of how stressful school is for kids, I really do.

It's one of the things which makes me want to home educate but I haven't quite plucked up the courage.

That makes me sad Spidermamma. I have always been very pro-school (as a teacher, you'd hope so lol) but I am handling reception very badly - I just want to keep her home and safe from every hurt and upset - not very realistic I know

It is horrible that school stresses them. However life in the outside world is stressful, and school is partly their preparation for life. On a positive note at least our 'chewers' are expressing their stress, and their parents are picking up on it and trying to address it.

I know each time my DS (8) has had a 'nervous' episode we have noticed it, discussed it with him and his class teacher. I believe it has made him a bit stronger and more able to cope each time. It is tough seeing them through difficult patches.

I know Mimizan, I believe the same - that school is a good preparation in life - just a bit harder to remember that when it's no longer theory, lol. I think I'm finding it harder than she is . I will make an appointment with her teacher tomorrow.

Good luck, Jacanne. Your DD is very fortunate as she's got a supportive Mum.