How old for chewing gum?

[Absoluteunit]

How old were your children when they were allowed gum please?

DD is autistic and it helps her regulate to have something to chew. She is becoming self conscious about her chewellery.

I think she's too young (6) but maybe I'm just being old fashioned? I'm mainly worried about choking and it getting stuck in her hair..

I would say she can have it if she understands that she mustn’t swallow it and has to spit it out. For some kids that’s 6 but for others it might be more like 10.
My 5 yr old for example would definitely swallow it!!

I wouldn't give it to my 9 year old.

I'd be too concerned re choking etc

Mine did from 5, they get car sick and it was a suggestion to help them.

Depends on the child. If they are likely to suddenly do a handstand at any moment then chewing gum is not a good idea. Personally for a child who will listen to the rules about not running about while chewing and gets sensory regulation from it I’d say 6 years old is okay.

Never. It should be banned! I hate the stuff.

My DS was allowed from 10. I ‘may’ have over done the don’t swallow it chat - he accidentally swallowed a piece once and was convinced he was going to die!

Why would you ever give your children chewing gum! I would wait until they are old enough to purchase their own, awful stuff.

Why would you ever give your children chewing gum!

Did you not read the OP or did you choose to ignore the part where OP explained why, just so you could make a nippy comment?

OP one of mine was about 7 when we introduced it as a distraction from chewing clothes etc. It was fine and they no longer use it, 10 years later, haven't done for about 5 years or so.

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated. She's pretty sensible but I think I might try some more discreet chewellery first.

I hate chewing gum too to be honest but it's preferable to bleeding hands when she chews!