Chewing Gum

Relax. Yes, it's an old tale that swallowing gum is bad for you. The digestive acids in the stomach are strong enough to dissolve the gum. And there is nothing in the gum to hurt him. If there was, it wouldn't matter if he swallowed it or not, he has already chewed it and they would already be in his system. As long as he doesn't play with it and get it stuck all over himself and the furniture, or leave it in his mouth while sleeping so it falls out and ends up stuck in his hair, or spits it out on the floor and it's sugar free so it doesn't hurt his teeth, I see no reason he can't have it.

Don't know whether it's bad or not, but if he is going to have it make sure there is no aspartame in it, that it is sugarless, and that there IS xylitol. If he's going to be chewing all that gum it might as well do some good for his teeth.

Hi D., I am sure swallowing chewing gum is not good for anyone although most children do at one time or another. I would not let him have it until he understands that he should not swallow it. I had my grand daughter stand in front of me and place her gum on a tissue when she was finished. I'm sure that got boring and she does not ask for it any more. Do not leave gum unattended. You are the mom and you make the rules. Grandma Mary

Swallowing gum isn't harmful -- I believe I read that it's not completely digested by the stomach, but it is passed through the stool just like anything else he eats.

However, I do agree with the PP that 4 may be young to be chewing gum -- particularly if he cannot follow the directions to spit it out. Also, whenever children do chew gum, I think breaking a stick in half is most appropriate (until the child is old enough to be buying and carrying his/her own gum -- around the adolescence).

Hi D.,
Whether it's really bad for him or not, if he is swallowing gum, then he is not old enough to chew gum. Stop giving it to him. No child needs 5 pieces of gum in a day, that's a lot of sugar coating the teeth, and sugarless has artificial sweeteners that are not a recommended part of a child's diet. I would cut out the gum altogether now, and maybe allow one piece in a day when he is old enough to understand how to chew gum.
I wouldn't want that gum in my child's tummy.

I'm going to play devil's advocate here - I think 4 is a good age to introduce gum. My daughter has a lot of sensory issues and her OT actually SUGGESTED it before my dd's 4th birthday. If your son is chewing 5 sticks a day, he may "need" that oral stimulation for some reason. Better gum than snacks, hair, sleeves, or non-food items! I do agree that Trident or other small-portion gum is best. And I would never give sugary gum to a young child. However, I would work on the swallowing - as in, if he swallows a piece, then no more that day. Good luck!
-K.