My son is always chewing things, and while I know a certain amount of oral fixation is normal, it is driving me berserk and I hope that some of you will have some tips.
He chews on toys, his clothes (like his long sleeves or his collar), bites his nails, if he has a straw with his drink, it is unrecognizable after a meal. I have tried to distract him from the habit by giving him things to hold, singing songs with hand movements, being active instead of sitting and chewing.
A little background: he was a binky boy, but gave it up on his own just after his second birthday, and was not so oral for at least a year. He's got a two year old sister and I know he has some stress with how much attention she gets from me (she still nurses, is into everything, throws stuff- fairly normal 2 year old behavior, really, but demanding of my time sometimes in ways that I can't help but deal with her); Also, he's a bit of a cautious child. For example, he doesn't like to venture out and do new things unless it is his idea, and he likes to guage a situation before getting involved (like at playgroup or the park).
I am struggling with the balance of my two year old's needs and his, so I try to make special time for him every day- reading, cuddling, playing a game when the little one naps, and also trying to get out of the house with just him once in a while: like taking him to the store with me while Daddy and the little one stay home.
So, back to the original question: How can I get him to stop chewing stuff or redirect him!
Thank you, ladies, for taking time to answer my request. I ended up ordering him a "Chewy Tube", which was on the site Kristen suggested. I have talked to his pediatrician before, and she said it may be stress, but that it also normal- so if the chewy tube doesn't work (and probably even if it does!) I will bring it up again to rule out any disorders such as SID and the jaw misalignment. I will also try to keep it from getting to me!!
I should add that though he is cautious, he's not anti-joining in. He even initiates games with other kids; it's just that he has to want to do it, so sometimes he watches the kids first to make sure they are nice or whatever.
My son as a crawler always had to have something in his mouth. I finally gave up worrying about it as long as it was safe. He outgrew it. I had a couple of daughters that didn't ever do anything unless they did it right. They had to watch something first, then they could do it. They now do it right on their jobs and make good money.
You are a caring, loving mother. That counts for a lot.
My duaghter just turned 12 and she still chews on stuff...barbie hands and feet until they were unrecognizeable, straws noone else in the house would use, water bottle caps, anything she can get her mouth on...although it does bug me...it appears like it's something she has to do...I think she does it out of boredom...I also think it stimulates her somehow...I'm convinced she'll stop doing it at some point in her life...on the bright side...gum chewing while in school stimulates the brain...so at least the constant chewing might keep their brain active...in the great big scheme of things, chewing on stuff is quite minor...do your best to let it go...for your sake...
Dear M.,
I think you are well advised to take your son to his pediatrician and explain the situation.
Best to all of you,
S.
Hi,
You might want to have him evaluated and adjusted by an osteopath - that is a MD with training in bone structure. He could have a cranial sacral adjustment and the chewing behaviors can be eliminated. Our skulls have many different bones in them and they can become misaligned easily, through labor and delivery, a fall, etc. just like "throwing your back out". Chewing behaviors typically arise from the child's attempts to lessen the pressure created by misaligned bones in the skull.
I don't have a particular osteopath to recommend, but you might just want to look in the yellow pages or check with your insurance plan to find an an osteopath who does cranial sacral therapy. Best wishes.
Does your pediatrician know this? Some children benefit from an occupational therapy consultation to determine a means to direct this kind of behavior in a positive way. Does he go to preschool? Is he very active with play, other 4 year olds, going outside? Even a cautious child can become immersed in sand play at the park or in the backyard, thus "forgetting" about the chewing behavior. His sister may cause some stress, but he may not even register that she is still nursing when she can use a cup. Does he have a lovey also? Something to hold? If he is stressed and needs to chew, you could give him a timer and a time limit for chewing--"You have 2 minutes to go in your room and chew your tubing. Then you will come outside and play with us." Sometimes that will alter the behavior.
Good luck to you!
I don't have advice per say, but my daughter is the same way. She had a binky until age 3. And I MADE her get rid of it. It was pushing her top teeth forward. I think some kids have nervous habits and that is one of them. She is 7 now, and just finished 1st grade, and it really hasn't changed. I catch with things ( a rubber or plastic piece or toy, shirt strings, hair) I just ask her to stop. And make her aware that she is doing it.
I think when school comes around you will notice that he has "other things" to think about and you will notice it less.
But otherwise.. I don't think there is much you can do to redirect his attention.
Hi M. -
Excessive chewing and mouthing at this age is an indicator that the child is feeling stress and anxiety: it may be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is making him anxious at this point (though feel free to just out and ask him: many children are VERY insightful when asked to answer questions about their own mental health), but this type of behavior is NOT uncommon in normal, typically healthy children. I've seen many a mother struggle with their child's excessive shirt collar and sleeve chewing (to the point where their children are chewing holes through their clothing) but the more you bring attention to his chewing habits, the more you try to re-direct him, the more attention you are bringing to the situation, hence creating even more stress and anxiety which exacerbates the problem rather than helping it. The more attention you pay to it, the worse it will get.
Some children just have anxious personalities: does he attend preschool or daycare of any type? He is at a great age to introduce him to a preschool setting: and while it may be a very difficult adjustment for him at first, it will allow him to build relationships with both teachers and peers which builds self confidence, thereby reducing anxiety and promoting more healthy ways of stress reduction. There is nothing wrong with healthy caution of strange situations when it comes to children his age, but from what you describe, he seems to have very little assuredness in himself, his own social skills, and capabilities. This is no fault of your own, but if he is to resolve some of his anxiety issues, preschool would do him a great service from a purely social standpoint. Preschool should not be for teaching academics (and if you come across any preschool that toutes their academic schedule, they have the wrong idea about what preschool is for, and you should keep your child out of there!) but for creating self confidence, a sense of independence and pride in ones self and capabilities, and promoting social comfort.
That being said, there IS something you can do about the chewing: with many children, both typically and non typically developing, the chewing habit can be controlled by giving the child something appropriate to chew on when they are feeling anxious. Visit this website and check out the kids "chewing" toys: we will often attach them to a long cord that hangs around the child's neck so that it is there for them to chew on when tey are feeling anxious.
http://stores.ebay.com/Autism-Superstore_Oral-Motor_W0QQc...
(any of these toys are good: he is typically developing in other ways, Im assuming, so you dont need to go as far as getting vibrating chew toys unless you think he might like them more - the point is just to find a non latex, non toxic soft and pliable "not breakable" thing for him to chew on)
Don't let the "autism" thing scare you: many children with autism experience some very serious oral motor issues that we use these chew on toys for, but that in no way means your child has autism! The chewing to deal with stress is a very common thing in children, and this is just one way to easily deal with it.
He will grow out of the habit as he gets older and becomes more confident in uncomfortable situations. Let it be for now: if it continues well into the future, he may need to be treated for an anxiety disorder, but at this point his habit would be considered normal and common.
I might be going out on a limb here, but it could be possible that his mouth is dry. Try giving him more water and see if that helps.
I would definitely seek out your pediatrician for advice but more importantly I would have him tested for Sensory Integration Disorder. Your son's age is about the age we discovered it in our son although in hindsight we realized the symptoms started earlier. There are healthy chew toys, e.g., Chewelry that you can purchase from Abilitations. The sooner you rule out or in SID the better off you will be.
Best,
P.
This sounds like behavior caused by anxiety. You might check with a child psychologist to see what you can do to help this behavior and more importantly the underlying cause of the behavior. I do think you are doing the right thing by not being negative at all and trying to distract him. You sound like a great parent. Good luck.
He is clearly seeking oral stimulation, which many children do. He may have oral sensory issues, which means it's not a bad habit, he needs oral stimulation. You need to find alternatives that meet this need, as it won't go away--it will just change from thumbs to coats to straws, etc. My daughter has oral sensory issues since she was a baby and now has a vibrating stick (looks almost like a pencil) she uses at school to stop the other less appropriate things she was doing. Gum helps tremendously as it meets the same need in a more socially acceptable way.
Hi M.,
I appreciate your situation as my son was an oral kiddo with the binky and stuff( now 5) and a careful observer. Ib some ways, even today he is more sophisticated than his peers...although he always seemed younger than others until recently..his two year old sister thought I was her binky till 18 months which I think was difficult for him..Sounds like you are doing all you can to provide him those special moments and it will get better...(playing games with him, keeping a journal where he can narrate his thoughts, ideas..you can write, he can draw..anything that is between you.
In terms of the need to chew..it is a need. How are his oral motor skills, speech, sensory stuff? If you google superduper catalogue..they sell a ton of cheap oral motor chewies( not food) which you can give him instead of other things not for the mouth....the kids love them...Just keep them washed.
Hope this helps..it will shift..
My daughter did the same thing when she was that age, she chewed on everything from toys, books, remote controls, to straws, or anything else she could get her hands on. I looked in her mouth and she was actually teething still, (her back teeth). So I gave her those frozen pedia-lite pops. They are better for them then Popsicles and they kept her hydrated during the summer, plus it was something cold. When I took her to the dr she told me that the reason kids eat books is because they the glue taste good. There are a lot of things that smell good to kids too and so they chew on that stuff too. It could be either! I hope this is of some help to you, good luck!
It may be that he needs the oral motor activities. How about having him chew on something he should be chewing on instead of things you'd rather he didn't? There is information on line that you can find if you google "oral motor grocery list." It will give many ideas of things for your child to chew on that will help to satisfy this need he has.
Hi M.-
Some kids need more sensory input than others and a way that they can get this is by chewing on things. If his chewing seems really excessive to you or if he also does other sensory-seeking behaviors like rocking himself, spinning, or bumping into things, or is very sensitive about others invading his personal space you may consider having him see an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing. There are lots of simple exercises that help kids get the input they need to normalize their sensory processing. Early intervention really helps!
There is also a good book available on the subject, "The Out os Sync Child." Good luck!
E.
I have the same problem with my 4 year old.... She chews on barbies spoons pencils belts anything she can chew she chews it... It's frustrating n irritating at the same time. I have tried chew toys redirection.. Doctor was my last resort. I need help.. How long is this phase going to last. My other two kids never went through this phase..no toy is safe. All belts are in danger. Even clothing gets it when she can't find what she wants to chew.. She still has a pacifier for medical reasons.. Stimulates saliva in mouth...she only uses it for sleeping..
