Things in the Mouth

I agree with the person who posted about possibly seeing if she should work with an occupational therapist (OT). Some children just need to chew, and some even concentrate better if they are allowed to chew (my friend's son has a written school plan that permits him to chew on special "chewie" items from the OT while he is in class; it helps him focus on his work!). I would ask your pediatrician today for a referral to get her evaluated. This does not mean there is anything "wrong" with her, if it does turn out she should see an OT; it only means she processes things differently from many kids and needs to learn to channel her chewing instinct appropriately. Getting her evaluated also could rule out whether there are other issues, so I'd do it. Also ask them to check her for sensory processing; some kid are very turned off by certain textures while others just feel they "need" certain textures or actions like chewing.

Also, starting work on this now is a good idea because if you leave it too long, there is more for her to "unlearn" once she hits school age. You don't want her to be in school and find you're getting calls from the teachers that she is constantly chewing on pencils, etc. The chewing on hands also presents potential issues for raw and chapped skin as well as transferring germs into her mouth.

I also agree with the suggestion about seeing an OT. Sounds like it could be a sensory issue.

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there is nothing wrong with gentle reminders! A little bit of interaction should stop it.

With my daycare kids, I just simply get eye contact....& tap my finger on my mouth, while gently shaking my head "No". That's usually all it takes.

Google chewy foods or foods that help to stop biting. It really helps kids to stop the chewing urge. It ties their jaw out and they don't feel that urge to chew or bite stuff so much.

Otherwise take her to see a good pediatric dentist, she may have some cavities or food stuck under the gum-line that is hurting.

I would give her appropriate things to chew, rather than telling her NOT to chew. The need to be oral comes from a need that is not met (read up on some psychology for more info) and she's just trying to meet that need.

There are loads of toys like Chewies that are sold on Amazon, eBay, Sensory Edge, etc. I would not assume she needs OT just because she is still oral. She's still VERY young and a lot of kids are meeting oral needs at this age by nursing, using pacifiers, etc.

I was a "chewer." Certain textures especially made me want to bite them. But I also chewed on my hands and on my hair, and in school I chewed on pencils and pens...

Hmmm... I did manage to grow up just fine and I am no longer a "chewer." LOL I rarely even chew gum! But in school, my teachers encouraged ME to chew gum! (Yes, even though the rule was no gum chewing in class... for all the other kids). Later, while *I* was teaching over the years, there would sometimes be a student I have chew gum in class. In another group I might have one fidget with a toy, or one stand or sit on a table... I'm very relaxed about it. We have rules, but I meet individual children's needs. No it does not confuse the other students about the class rules because they know everyone is different with different needs.

So here are some of my suggestions... get her out of the stroller and have her occupied walking, holding your hand, holding a toy... I chewed a lot more when I was still. I absolutely was better off being more active rather than sedentary. ... Have her evaluated by an orthodontist or dentist to ensure all is well with her mouth. BTW - when I had nothing else to chew, I chewed the inside of my mouth. Then there is stress... I had a lot of stress as a child - kept switching homes through elementary school and didn't feel very good about myself because of it (I thought something was wrong with *me* because no one would "keep me"). Stress is NOT all bad. I did become a relatively strong independent person, and my past helped shape who I am today. I LIKE who I am today. BUT... therapy can help (did help). So, be open to that if there is any excess stress in your daughter's life.

Another way of increasing our tolerance for life stress is keeping healthy - good nutritious food, lots of active fun, down time (imaginative play) and good sleep!

I feel confident that your daughter's chewing will one day just be a distant memory.