It is driving me utterly, utterly bonkers. If there are any magic tips out there to help her stop, I will prostrate myself before you in gratitude. Alternatively, any coping mechanisms for me would be lovely.
She does it when she's absorbed in something - so, listening to a story or watching TV are major culprits. She does it when she's even mildly anxious - so, as soon as we enter nursery for the day, even though she's happy and settled there, her sleeves come up to her mouth. All of her sleeves are stretched and soaked by the end of the day, and although we can get out the grime with serious soaking and stain removal, they are permanently stretched out and loose around the cuffs. It looks horrible. Today I picked her up and there were actual holes in the cuffs of her shirt.
It's winter here, so keeping her in short sleeves isn't an option. I do try and keep the sleeves rolled up a bit so they're not right there, but she pulls them down again. Or twists up the collar of her top and bites that instead. I have tried reminding her gently over and over. I have tried reasoning with her. I have lost it and hissed viciously while yanking her sleeve down. But it's unconscious, so what can you do?
I even bought her some chewy sensory toys, the sort that are marketed towards kids with autism and other spectrum disorders - but unless she has one in her hand every second, which is impractical, she'll just chew again.
I know it's not deliberate. But it's seriously distressing me, so does anyone have any help?